Last week, standup comedian Michael Sengazi scooped the Prix RFI Talent du Rire 2019 during a ceremony held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, making him the first Rwandan comedian to win the continental prize.
The comedian has, however, said that winning the continental prize should not surprise anyone because Rwanda’s comedy industry is growing fast and now has what it takes to challenge on the continental stage.
"To be honest, of course I am happy to win the prize, but it did not come as a surprise because I have been after it for a long time. I failed three times before winning this prize but I did not give up. I would appear in the top ten finalists looking to get my hands on the prize but the chance couldn’t come my way,” Sengazi told The New Times in an interview.
"This is a prize that over a hundred other comedians were also eyeing. That is why I can’t take it for granted. It is rather a motivation not only for me but for all other Rwandan comedians that the future of our comedy is bright,” he added.
Sengazi, who is a member of Comedy Knights, insists the prize has shown him that Rwanda has talented comedians who can even win bigger prizes if they put more effort and creativity in what they do.
"This prize should be a testament, to fellow local comedians, that we can do or achieve what other comedians out there can do or achieve,” he said.
He called on fellow comedians to work hard and be more focused to show that their talent and also urged Rwandans to support more of their local comedians so they can thrive.
"Comedy is not something we do just because we ran out of choice. We do it driven by our passion and talent and then we decide later to do it with professionalism. Africa is now watching us, we should take more advantage and show what we are capable of if we want to reach more milestones,” he said.
The RFI Talent du Rire Award was initiated by the Radio France International, with a mission to discover new talents in comedy by distinguishing, each year, a French-speaking promising comedian from Africa.
Sengazi becomes fifth African to win the prize since its inception in 2015, pocketing Euros 4000 (over Rwf 4 million).