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Carl Joshua Ncube

Leonard Ncube/Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondents
STAND-UP comedian Carl Joshua Ncube is disappointed to have raised only $220 for his build-a-comedy-dome project in Victoria Falls.

The comedian was inspired to pursue the idea which will cost him $200,000 after having performed at similar venues such as the Cape Town Comedy Club, Jo’burg International Comedy Festival and Comedy Central International.

Since last year when he mooted the idea, Ncube has been asking people to buy tickets worth $10 for the first show that will be held at the dome.

“I realised that Vic Falls, especially with the new airport, will be welcoming larger and larger international audiences.

“Victoria Falls is the only place where comedy can grow as there’s a changing audience because of the tourists that come in. In Bulawayo and Harare, the same people will come to the shows but in Victoria Falls with the tourists coming in, there’ll be different people watching comedy every time,” said Ncube.

Unfortunately, Zimbabweans have not yet caught onto the dream, leaving the comedian to explore other avenues for revenue.

“I’m in talks with ZBC to get some of my content on the station’s television and radio so that I can get some funds from adverts. I’ve also increased the number of shows that I’m doing around the country and some of the revenue from these will be channelled to the building of the dome.

“At the end of the day, I can’t rely wholly on fans as the onus is upon me to raise the funds,” said Ncube.

He heads to Victoria Falls this weekend for a Valentine’s date at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. The show being held tomorrow is meant to raise money to support anti-poaching activities as well as treat Victoria Falls fans to a Valentine’s special.

The unique open air performance starts at 6.30PM.

Ncube, who is set to perform at the Market for African Performing Arts (MASA) festival in Ivory Coast next month, said he was excited to be working for a noble cause to preserve the environment.

“One of the things I love about Victoria Falls is the huge effort towards sustainable tourism. Even though I’m personally terrified of stuff like game drives, I feel it makes interesting comedy and hope to overcome that fear one day.”

He said: “People can expect to fall in love again and learn about our beautiful country from a conservation perspective.”