NOT MANY platforms are found in Rwanda for local youngsters to showcase their talent as the starting point for their way to stardom in comedy. ‘Seka Live’ and ‘Comedy Knights’ are among the regular concepts whose stages have consistently had a vast role in the development of local comedians who went on to establish themselves among the best in the country. But there is hidden talent in comedy that comedian Fally Merci wants to unearth, and get young comedians a platform to shine under his concept Gen Z and give them an opportunity to thrive. Two comedians growing under Gen Z perform during a past event. Gen Z (Generation Z) is now showing positive signs of flourishing and establishing itself as the solution to this so that young comedians start from scratch and trace their way to becoming future stars in the game. Merci started the concept with just seven up-coming comedians from Kigali and, three months later, over 30 more comedians have found a home with Gen Z. “When I look back to how this concept started, it gives me the impression of how far it has gone during the past three months. In Gen Z, I realised that there is hope and future for so many comedians,” Merci tells The New Times. “There are so many comedy talents hidden out there that I believe can use this platform to show our audience what they are capable of,” he adds. Starting out Merci is part of the first cohort of Art Rwanda Ubuhanzi through which young artistic talents are identified across a wide spectrum of art disciplines, and offer them the requisite skills and tools to not only hone their respective talents, but also become creative entrepreneurs. Revellers at a previous show. Comedian Patrick Rusine (2nd left) often shows up to support the Gen Z initiative. His comedy talent came of age when Rwanda’s premier comedian Arthur Nkusi gave him an opportunity to shine under his annual ‘Seka Live’ comedy show, a platform which he says contributed much to becoming who he is in comedy. The comedian thought of ways to give back, like what Nkusi did for him, and created a platform that not only helps more young comedians to develop their talent but also shows Nkusi that his efforts did not go in vain. “I am the first comedian that nurtured my career through Arthur’s ‘Seka Live’. Arthur really played a big part in my comedy development and I recognise what he did for me. But, as a grown comedian, I started to show him that his support has been fruitful because my Gen Z can produce comedians who can entertain his audience at ‘Seka Live’,” Merci says. Fally Merc, the brains behind Gen Z. After realising how much he loves comedy and his desire to promote young talents through Gen Z, Imbuto Foundation offered Merci a space at ArtRwanda - Ubuhanzi Incubation Centre in Rugando, Kimihurura. It’s here that he and his colleagues gather to entertain an audience in bi-monthly shows. The shows which take place on Thursdays every two weeks started with comedians cracking jokes amongst themselves, and they now attract between 70 and 80 comedy lovers. “The audience coming to our shows continues to grow and this is what I wanted from the beginning. I wanted to bring a concept that people will get used to until it becomes a go-to stress free comedy hub,” he says. Taking comedy to schools Merci always looks beyond performing for a few people because there is a big number of comedy lovers and talents in schools that are now his target audience. The comedian now plans to take his team for road shows upcountry not only to grow their fan base but to also promote the latest talents that are growing under Gen Z. “We target to reach students from different schools upcountry and entertain them. So, with our little budget, we will entertain them for free but, trust me, they will be our future audience, if they love what we do,” he says. According to the comedian, the quick rise of Gen Z in the past three months has inspired him to wholeheartedly invest more time and efforts on the concept because the signs of the outcomes it may produce are positive. “We have talented comedians whose passion drives them to travel from upcountry to join our concept. I try to cover their transport to reduce challenges that may hinder them. But what motivates me is that some sponsors have started to support my concept,” he says. “If things continue this way, Gen Z is going to be the biggest thing Rwanda’s comedy industry will have,” he says.
