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Tafadzwa Zimoyo

Entertainment Editor

Two months ago, award-winning comedian Prosper Ngomashi went to Queensland and social media was agog with news that he had relocated.

Some even said he got the most popular, most wanted COS (Certificate of Sponsorship) where one is allowed to work in the United Kingdom.

Some Zimbabweans have relocated using that method, but how true is that on Ngomashi, who is affectionately known as Comic Pastor?

Is it part of his shenanigans, fooling around with his fans that he has deserted his motherland for the United Kingdom’s English-speaking terrestrial?

Obviously, for wider reach, the jokes and skits have to be in English, not that we are saying that Comic Pastor is not good in the native language, but he has to compete with some of the UK’s finest and best comedians such as Peter Kay, Lenny Henry, James Acaster, Bill Bailey, Jimmy Carr and David Mitchell.

The above mentioned have already established their fan base and are earning a living through comedy, just like our “Comic Pastor”.

How prepared is he then in such scenarios? Foreign land for that matter.

Looking back, the rise of online comedians has certainly changed the comedy landscape.

By the way, it is important to note that stand-up comedy and online comedy are two different forms of entertainment.

Hence, with what social media has been saying about Comic Pastor, he is in a league of his own when it comes to such.

For the past months he has been in the UK doing some comic work.

If he does not lose focus, he can survive because while online comedians have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, stand-up comedians still have a dedicated fan base and continue to perform live shows.

Some stand-up comedians have even used social media to promote their work and reach a wider audience.

It is also worth noting that some comedians have successfully transitioned from online comedy to stand-up comedy.

For example, Trevor Noah started his career as an online comedian before becoming a successful stand-up comedian and host of The Daily Show.

Who knows, the road Comic Pastor is taking may be fruitful after all.

The talented comedian confirmed he has not relocated to the UK, but is there for business.

He said is coming back in two weeks.

“What people are saying is something else, but I chose to ignore it. I haven’t relocated, but I am here for business and obvious comic structure,” he said. “I get people asking me every day if I have ditched comedy to become a nurse aide. Alas, I am coming back on November 17.”

Comic Pastor who is currently staying in London, said it is a different world altogether.

“What we hear is not what we see,” he said. “I came here in September and life is different from how we picture it back home. There is a lot to learn and to teach. The social life here is different and the management of the system is something that we can learn and adapt, especially on arts promotion and events hosting.”

Comic Pastor said he is on a mission to hunt for wealth in the UK where he discovered that he has thousands of fans.

He said he has not dumped Zimbabwe because he has a broad fan base back home.

“I will be back home soon as I have hinted and of course I already have some gigs lined up,” said Comic Pastor. “Yes, some say that I have moved to the UK because I realised that I have thousands of fans there, but I am not relocating.

“I’m not limited to staying here. Zimbabwe is my home country and a huge chunk of my fans are there so I will always come there to dine with them, I have no permanent residence in the UK.” Before the digital era, Comic Pastor was a cattle header, but thanks to social media which exposed his talent, he has since changed course.

The 39-year-old comedian said through social media, he cannot starve his fans in Zimbabwe.

“These days through social media we are blessed as comedians, before the advent of social media no one knew about me, but when smart-phones emerged my life changed from being a cattle header to a famous comedian,” he said.

“So, I’m promising my fans that they are not going to starve because through social media they can access my content, otherwise they are not going to miss my presence in Zimbabwe.”

To date, Comic Pastor is earning a living through social media, he is getting some online adverts which he can attach to his skits.

“I’m earning a lot through social media, I use my online page to advertise, so even if I’m out of Zimbabwe I can still operate efficiently,” he said. “All my clients from Zimbabwe can still contact me online so that I can do their adverts online as usual.”

From the UK side, Comic Pastor said he was overwhelmed by clients, and it was business as usual.

“I will share the lessons when I come back, what we have been missing in Zimbabwe,” he said. “So far, UK life is good and my trade as an MC is at the peak, almost every weekend I have an event to cover as an MC.

“I’m very famous here, there are so many Zimbabweans here, so many of them call me to perform at their events, also other races like the whites know me, and by now I did two events for the white people.”