Jester conquers gender stereotypes

SHE is probably the first female comedian on the local scene who is no stranger to gender stereotypes who claim, despite evidence to the contrary, women are not comical.

SHE is probably the first female comedian on the local scene who is no stranger to gender stereotypes who claim, despite evidence to the contrary, women are not comical. NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT

Therefore she faces the pressure to cut through such labels as a female comedian where it seems women have not been “allowed” for a long time.

Nomsa Diana Muleya of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo says it is only a matter of time before people realise that women are hilarious in their own right.

When on stage, Muleya’s humour is derived from current affairs, social issues, ghetto life and sex.

She sums it by saying her subject matter consists of painful jokes.

Muleya started her career in comedy in 2013 after being introduced to Umahlekisa Comedy Club.

At that time, she was part of a Bulawayo film production training project called iBhayiskopo, produced by former Amakhosi Cultural Theatre film production trainee Priscilla Sithole.

Under the iBhayiskopo Film Academy project, Muleya participated in producing a film adapted from a book by Ericha Gwetai called Freeman, which featured Bulawayo’s talented actor Percy Soko and poet Sithandazile Dube.

“I enrolled with iBhayiskopo Film Academy in 2011 and was mainly interested in photography. I was the loudest in the group and always cracked jokes that ensured there was never a dull moment whenever I was around,” Muleya said.

“Poet, musician and producer Tswarelo Mothobe, who is a friend of Umahlekisa Comedy Club founder Ntando Moyo, encouraged me to join the club saying I was talented and could fit into their project.”

She has performed at the Umahlekisa Comedy Club first year anniversary, culture week, Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund comedy show, Home grown laughs and Bulawayo Night of 1 000 Laughs in 2014.

Muleya has shared the stage with 2014 National Arts Merit Award winner Simba the Comic King, Rookies Keith Nkosi, Q the Boss and Ntando Van Moyo.

She also produced Ghetto New Year, a film starring one of Bulawayo’s favourite comedians Clive Chigubu.

Born in Harare in 1984, Muleya is the second born in a family of two boys and two girls.

Growing up as a young girl, she took an interest in drama clubs and public speaking while at Hyde Park Primary School in Harare.

“I hated running and anything physical, but fell in love with public speaking and joined a drama club at school. I remember vividly when we won the best prize for a drama that we had produced to educate students about malaria. It was fun being on stage then, but now it is my source of livelihood; my bread and butter,” she said.

Muleya relocated to Bulawayo after her mother, a former soldier, was transferred to Bulawayo.

She enrolled at Mzilikazi High School for secondary education.

“I wanted to be a doctor as I grew up watching television programmes such as Doctor Doctor and ER, which showed what happened in hospital emergency rooms. I was fascinated by how doctors saved lives and I wanted to do the same.

“I became a mother early in my high school years and could not afford to go back and pursue that dream, but I believe that I am still healing people through my jokes, as the saying goes ‘laughter is the best medicine’,” she said.

Muleya has done voluntary work as a photographer at the Jikinya Dance Festival, Intwasa Arts Festival and Culture Week.