By Marshall Bwanya
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s very own King Kandoro and Kenya’s rising star Justine Wanda are set to bring fireworks of laughter to the 15th edition of Shoko Festival, with the Shoko Comedy Night promising to be one of the festival’s most unmissable events.
Award-winning Zimbabwean comedian King Kandoro, real name Mukudzei Majoni, is making a triumphant homecoming after conquering stages across the globe on his world tour.
For fans back home, this return marks more than just a performance, it’s a moment of pride, nostalgia and celebration, as the UK-based comedy heavyweight headlines the milestone anniversary edition themed The Legacy XV.
“King Kandoro’s appearance at Shoko Festival 2025 marks a highly-anticipated homecoming that fans won’t want to miss as he brings his internationally-acclaimed tour back to Zimbabwe,” festival coordinator Vera Chisvo said.
Adding continental flair to the laughter-packed night is Nairobi’s own Justine Wanda, a stand-up comedian, writer and satirist who has been blazing through East Africa’s comedy scene.
With a knack for sharp dark humour and an eye for observational wit, Wanda has shared stages with global names, having even opened for Hannibal Buress in 2018, just a year into her career.
Her star has since risen with appearances on Showmax’s Roast House, her own headliner special Comedy Riot, and turns on Kenya’s famed improv show Because You Said So!
According to the festival’s social media teaser: “One stage. Five comedy heavyweights. One legendary night of laughter. To be headlined by Zimbabwe’s global comedy superstar, King Kandoro, Shoko Comedy Night will leave you in stitches.”
Wanda will join a supporting cast of Munya, Mbongeni, and Mike, while award-winning DJ Iroq adds a musical pulse to the evening, ensuring that the laughter never comes alone.
Shoko Festival, running from September 25 to 27, has built a reputation over 15 years as Zimbabwe’s premier platform for urban culture, blending music, comedy, art and activism.
This year’s edition is especially momentous, not just for its anniversary, but also for its bold international collaborations.
In partnership with UK-based Arcadia and In Place of War, the festival will roll out the Build The Peace project, which includes a mural co-designed by young artists from Zimbabwe and the UK, destined for both Glastonbury and Harare.
The festival will also showcase homegrown talent, with Zim hip-hop 2024 Best Newcomer Runna Rulez, chart-topper Jnr Spragga, and rising Zimdancehall star Madedido already confirmed for the line-up. More acts are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
With King Kandoro’s homecoming and Justine Wanda’s continental crossover, Shoko Comedy Night 2025 is shaping up to be a glittering celebration of African humour at its finest, a night where borders vanish, laughter reigns, and the legacy of Shoko Festival continues to grow.
