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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) winning comedian Doc Vikela says his secret to success is hard work as it always pays off and his accolade is proof of that. Born Victor Tinashe Mpofu, the comic started his primary education at Murwira Primary School in Gokwe before moving to Gweru. Doc Vikela said after last year’s disappointment when he was nominated for the Outstanding Comic Award but was beaten by Clive Chigubhu, he picked himself up and started working hard on his career.

“I’m super excited and I’m on cloud 10, if there’s such a thing. After a great 2015 where I worked my socks off I feel that I’ve been vindicated. The recognition was due and I feel that I deserved it because there are some that one gets because of your name but you wouldn’t have worked for it,” said Doc Vikela.

“Last year I held a lot of shows in Zimbabwe and even had the opportunity to perform in South Africa.” The former school teacher and salesman said his jokes are inspired by his life experiences which started in rural Gokwe, way back in June 1986, when he was born.

He said leaving his job as a salesman in 2009 was the best decision he ever made.

“Comedy pays, as I’m a full time comedian. I bought a car and married my wife through the money I get from comedy. Being a comedian can help you branch into being master of ceremonies at events such as weddings and corporate functions. It’s with comedy that other doors have opened for me to make money,” said Doc Vikela.

He said comics were successful because they promoted their own brands with no need for promoters.

“Look at Clive Chigubhu; he does so many shows in Harare and Bulawayo. Comedy is paying because there are no promoters, as we promote ourselves. What we do is build our brands alone and we’ve the potential to build our brands to be so huge that Clive Chigubhu can fill up the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare and myself can fill up Bulawayo theatre or the Harare International Conference Centre in the case of Carl Joshua Ncube,” said Doc Vikela.

“We need to push and grow our own brands. We need to go out there and look for other markets for comedy. To get where we are is through promoting ourselves and the status quo shouldn’t change.”

On the night of the Namas, Doc Vikela performed a rib-cracking set that left many in the crowd and those watching at home in stitches. Chief among the jokes was when he made fun of local celebs such as Mai Chisamba, Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu and Oliver Mtukudzi.

Doc Vikela, who got his stage name from his brother, said the local celebs enjoy the banter and some give him a taste of his own medicine at their shows.

“After the Namas Oliver Mtukudzi called me for one of his shows because he had seen me making fun of him. When I got there he started making fun of me because of my dark complexion. We’re building an arts industry where we interact with fellow artistes such as musicians. They’re always praising other people such as businessmen and the like. What we’re doing is the same but in a comical way,” said Doc Vikela.