Imagine an SA where its people are under siege from the Swazis and Sothos, and the only ones standing in their way are “Zulu Boy” and his friend “Rudolph” – who just happens to be an alien.
This is the plot of Comedy Central’s new hit, The Izikhokho Show.
The quintessentially South African satirical animation series, and previously only known to YouTube aficionados, is Africa’s answer to legendary South Park, and is set in a surreal and nightmarish universe.
Izikhokho Show is the brainchild of Mdu Comics’ founder and cartoonist, Mdu Ntuli.
Among the bizarre and hilarious characters appearing in the hand-drawn cartoon series are: “Jesus of the ANC” (who visits Zulu Boy in his sleep and tells him that the lord wants him to transfer money on the computer); an unidentifiable creature named “Bob” who deals with the Mafia and gets intimate with Noleen from 3Talk; not to mention “Bonang the Camel Toe” and “Madala” from the Manhood School.
One of Ntuli’s strips is the subject of two complaints to the Human Rights Commission over claims that it pokes fun at Tsonga/Shangaan-speakers.
In Izikhokho Show, Jesuscommits suicide because he discovers he is Shangaan. The animation, called Jesus is a Shangaan, has clocked up 108 396 views on YouTube since it was posted last month. Evert Van Der Veer, head of Comedy Central, said this week: “ Izikhokho with its strong graphic look, satirical spin and out-there humour was a great match for our channel.
“ Izikhokho’s animation perfectly fits what comedy stands for, it has the power to put issues in perspective, make people think about subjects in another way. Comedy Central is searching for local content, and wants to give local content a stage; not only stand up comedians, but also an artist like Mdu Ntuli.”
Asked whether he expected complaints from sensitive viewers, he said it was unlikely
“The viewers of Comedy Central are mature comedy lovers who are familiar with the concepts and parameters of satirical comedy,” Van Der Veer said.
Catch Izikhokho Show on Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) every Monday night after South Park. -Saturday Star