AFTER leaving a promising career in the advertising industry in 2012, Loyiso Madinga is fast making a name for himself on the South African stand-up comedy circuit, writes ESTELLE SINKINS.

Born in Durban and raised in the Eastern Cape, he says he has always enjoyed telling jokes. “I was never the funniest in the class but I tried my hardest to be, hence no distinctions in matric.

“My first time on stage doing comedy was a huge turning point for me. Besides having a great time on stage it was the feeling of finding something I want to do with my life, having just left advertising,” he said.

Since grabbing hold of his stand-up mic, Madinga has performed with most of South Africa’s established comedians, including Trevor Noah and Eugene Khoza.

“I have also performed with Tom Segura and Christina Pazintsky, who both had Netflix specials, Lil’ Rel from the movie Get Out and the Roast Master himself, Jeff Ross,” he added.

Asked who his comedy hero is, he said: “I admire traits from many comics; any comic who is dedicated to the craft and adds something different to the game.”

An Emmy Award nominee for his work as a writer and performer on the two-time Emmy Award nominated satirical show Late Nite News With Loyiso Gola, Madinga has also been nominated for a South African Film and Television Award (Safta) for his work on the sketch comedy The Bantu Hour.

His highly relatable style of humour has proved to be a hit with audiences around the country, with his one-man show Born Free-ish, selling out the world-class Goliath Comedy Club for four evenings.

As for what fans can expect from his Durban show, he said: “If they’re comedy fans or even if they’ve been dragged out by a partner who is a comedy fan, there’ll be something there for them. All of the guys in the line-up are unique and incredibly funny.”

Looking ahead, Madinga will completing the Trending Comics tour in Johannesburg before hitting the road with Schalk Bezuidenhout to perform their show Broken English.

The comedian, who went to St Patrick’s College and then studied copywriting at AAA School of Advertising in Johannesburg, is also about to start season two of Bantu Hour on SABC 2 and has begun working on a new one-man show.

Asked what advice he has for aspiring comics, Madinga said: “Don’t do it. Seriously, don’t do it.

“Unless you want it so bad that you don’t mind not getting paid for a few years, and doing dodgy bars where people are upset that there’s comedy happening, and also being on stage for half an hour without a single laugh, but you can’t get off because they said if you don’t do your full 30 minutes you’re not gonna get paid.”

•  Loyiso Madinga will be performing alongside Schalk Bezuidenhout, Robby Collins and Neil Green in Trending Comics at 6 pm on October 28 and October 29 at the 031 Comedy Club at 43 Station Drive, Berea, Durban. The show is being hosted by Carvin Goldstone. Tickets for Trending Comics in Durban are R150 at http://www.quicket.co.za