CONTROVERSIAL South African exotic dancer Zodwa Wabantu and compatriot and prominent comedian David Kau have been announced as the latest celebrities to join the panel of roasters for the Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi set to air on December 8 on Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122).
The dancer and socialite, born Zodwa Rebecca Libram and comedian Kau known for being one of the first black stand-up comedians in Mzansi join fellow panellists Randall Abrahams, Busiswa and Farieda “Pharoahfi” Metsileng to put actress and presenter Thusi under the griller.
The outspoken Zodwa Wabantu, who is no stranger to controversy, is sure not to hold anything back when she joins the fray to roast Thusi, whom she said should not expect any special treatment from her.
“I am bold and unapologetic in what I do and I recognise the same traits in Pearl. We are both tough cookies who can give as good as we get. However, that does not mean I am going to hold back when the chips are down,” Zodwa said.
The veteran comedian Kau is no newbie to the roast game.
“Having recently roasted Mzansi during the DemoCrazy: A Roast of South Africa event to celebrate (and send up) 30 years of democracy, I am all fired up to take on another roast,” he promised.
“I am sure the #RoastofPearl will once again prove that comedy has the ability to cross cultural divides and unite South Africans in the common language of laughter. Pearl’s roast is going to get spicy — very, very spicy!”
Senior vice-president and general manager at Paramount Africa, and lead at BET International, Monde Twala, said: “We are thrilled to have secured these incredible personalities for the roast. They are both very opinionated and do not shy away from straight talk — even if it ruffles feathers.
“Many of our panellists are controversial in their own right, so it will be interesting to see them trying to roast Pearl, who is no slouch in the clapback stakes. Who knows, these roasters might even come off second best. One thing is for sure, it is going to make for great entertainment.”