Comedian Emmanuel "Smanuza" Phunyugu (33) is receiving immense praise from his fans, who consider him one of the finest comedians that South Africa has ever produced.
Phunyugu, who resides in Maebane Ha-Kutama, is a self-taught comedian who began experimenting with his craft approximately seven years ago. He was an entertaining figure during his primary and high school days, bringing laughter to both teachers and fellow students. This early acclaim led to invitations to perform at local social events, and his career took off further when he secured larger gigs beyond his village.
Previously collaborating with the late comedian Tshigo and Cyria The Community, Phunyugu does not deny that the path to success is challenging. Yet, he envisions a promising future for himself within the entertainment industry.
His breakthrough arrived in 2015 when a video clip went viral on social media. The video, titled "Mukapi was tshisima a si munwi watsho," showcased him teaching a white man how to speak Tshivenda. It rapidly gained hundreds of thousands of views, making him a sensation in the comedy sphere. As a stand-up comedian, Phunyugu often dons a wig and humorously mimics popular Tshivenda singers and musicians, aiming to promote these artists.
He recalls discovering his comedic talent about a decade ago when people started telling him how his words brought happiness to their lives. "As the years went by, I came to realise that the only thing that people deserve in this world is happiness. I have gleaned wisdom from wise people who believe that a human being should not stay sad as it is not a healthy thing," he said.
Reflecting on his journey, he recounted that during his youth in the village, some people would mock him for no apparent reason. Instead of retaliating, he channelled that adversity into laughter and turned it into his strength. "That was where the gift of comedy started for me," he said.