Mbabane — Eswatini’s indie comedy collective Gogo and S’lwane are stepping into 2026 after a year that reshaped their place in the local creative industry. The duo closed 2025 on a high note, marked by sold-out shows, brand endorsements and the rise of their Lugodvo Kimi mantra, which moved from a catchphrase to a nationwide cultural reference point.
Speaking to Independent News in Mbabane, the comedians reflected on what defined their year, how community continues to shape their humour and why the next phase of their journey stretches beyond the kingdom’s borders into South Africa.
Question: What would you say was your biggest milestone this past year?
Answer: Our continued growth, our sold-out shows, the advent of the “Lugodvo Kimi” trend, and some of the endorsements we managed to secure.
Q: What did you learn from working closely with a major brand, and how has that shaped your approach to future partnerships?
A: We learned the importance of intentionally building a bankable and professional brand one that pushes you to obsess about your image and how you present your work.
Q: You’ve built a significant social media presence with viral trends like “Lugodvo Kimi.” How do you use digital platforms to grow your brand creatively and commercially?
A: Our community is at the heart of everything we do. All our work is inspired by our lives and those of our community. That’s where we source our ideas, which allows us to curate immediately resonant content. That’s simply our formula.
Q: In 2026, are you planning to introduce any new formats or genres of comedy beyond stand-up?
A: Yes definitely. We are doing more community based and nation building concepts this year around youth empowerment and men’s mental health. We’re also reviving two of our podcasts and will be producing more series format content.
Q: Can fans expect a new season of Our Type One Man Show, tours, or festival engagements this year?
A: Yes. We’re taking this concept to South Africa this year, starting with a show in Mbombela. We’re also working on taking Lugodvo Kimi the show nationally and into South Africa, following overwhelming demand.
Q: You’ve always collaborated with other talents. Who are some creatives you’re excited to work with in 2026?
A: We believe that collaboration happens at the top, and competition at the bottom. We’re excited to do more collaborations with one of Mzansi’s fastest rising ventriloquists, Shaun The Talking Monkey. Together, we’re also rolling out a ground breaking schools project this year.
Q: What role do you want to play in supporting emerging comedians and entertainers in Eswatini going forward?
A: Our work always aims to inspire the next generation of creatives across all art forms. We’re looking forward to more mentorship opportunities this year, particularly in schools and tertiary institutions.
Q: Do you have plans to take your shows to more international audiences in 2026 perhaps across South Africa or beyond?
A: Yes. The plan is already in motion. On the content side, we’re now using subtitles, and with live shows, we encourage our people to keep their eyes on our social media. There’s a lot of good news coming.
Q: How would you describe your brand evolution from when you started in 2019 to where you want to be by the end of 2026?
A: A lot has happened, but the one thing we’ve been solidifying every year is our aspiration for the craft to be a business, not just a passion. We’ve done relatively well so far, but there’s still more work to be done and we believe 2026 will push us even further.
Q: Comedy often comes from real life. What personal experiences from the past year influenced your best material?
A: There’s still resistance to our work from certain sections of society, something many artists in Eswatini experience, where it’s believed nothing impactful can come from the kingdom’s arts scene. While it doesn’t discourage us, seeing industry colleagues endure ridicule motivates us to elevate and contribute to a better recognised arts industry.
With Lugodvo Kimi, we also show how we offer solutions to our own and our community’s challenges. We won’t fully unpack it, we’ll let the public decipher its premise and promise.
Q: Who or what inspires your humour, and has that changed as you’ve grown in popularity?
A: Our childhoods, our lives, and the everyday experiences of our community. That’s what allows us to create highly resonant work for both the stage and social media.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to young Eswatini creatives trying to break into entertainment, what would it be?
A: Start where you are, with what you have, and your community will come. And most importantly, no one is coming to save you except yourself.
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