Transnet employee wins national Jive Funny Championships in Cape Town
Mbali Gudazi with her 2025 JiVE Funny Championships trophy, alongside the competition's judges, from left, Yaaseen Barnes and Jason Goliath and MC Dalin Oliver.
Image: Supplied
From cracking jokes at work to now winning a national comedy competition, Mbali Gudazi is making strides in the industry.
Gudazi, 38, formerly from Adams Mission, won the national Jive Funny Championships in Cape Town last week.
Gudazi, who works for Transnet, managing rolling wagon stock in the Eastern Cape, clinched the title at the Canal Walk Auditorium on May 14, where she delivered a quick-witted, three-minute set that left the audience in stitches.
Out of over 100 hopefuls from across the country, she was named the judges’ favourite, impressing comedy veterans Jason Goliath, Yaaseen Barnes and festival founder Eddy Cassar.
“I’m thrilled with the win!” said an elated Gudazi. “I’ve always been the funny one in the room, even at work, where my boss started putting me in charge of master of ceremonies duties. That’s where I found my confidence and eventually took the leap into comedy clubs.”
The Jive Funny Championships is a national comedy search and social entrepreneurship initiative run by the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival. Gudazi was one of only eight finalists selected to compete in the final round.
Her victory means she will now perform at the prestigious Jive Cape Town Funny Festival from June 2 to 29 at the Baxter Theatre, sharing the stage with seasoned South African comedians and international variety acts.
Along with national recognition, Gudazi took home a Canal Walk gift card, a Jive hamper and a trophy.
Tickets for the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival are available via Webtickets.