Stand-up comic Khanyisile Ngwenya was bullied in childhood for being differently-abled — however, with self-acceptance she has confidently channelled that have into her craft.
The 39-year-old is having the final snort as one of many nominees on the twelfth Annual Savanna Comics’ Selection Comedy Awards, which is ready to stage on Saturday 12 April on the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef Metropolis, Joburg.
The Soweto-born entertainer has been nominated for the coveted Savanna Newcomer Award alongside Daniele Du Plessis, Keketso Hutamo, Ngosa Kangwa and Wesley King.
Ngwenya,who has been dwelling with osteogenesis imperfecta, a uncommon genetic dysfunction that makes bones skinny and brittle, spoke to Sowetan.
The place had been you whenever you came upon about your nomination?
I switched off my social media notifications as a result of I knew the announcement was going to be at midday distracted myself additional by passing the time at a colleague’s desk. After I returned to my desk, I realised my telephone was blowing up. After I appeared, it was textual content messages from folks congratulating me on the nomination. I couldn’t consider it, a complete me!
What does this nod imply to you?
The nomination validates that I’m in the correct place and heading in the right direction. My life has been a rollercoaster trip, however to me it’s been a fantastic one. I’ve needed to cope with lots of exterior noise, however most of it additionally comes from inside. At instances, you assume you gained’t measure up, however such recognition reminds you that you’re greater than what you assume or what you see within the mirror.
How did you get to this second?
Being born and dwelling in Soweto with the situation that I’ve wasn’t simple. When my mom gave beginning to me, a lot of the bones in my physique had been damaged, and the probabilities of my surviving had been slim. The docs had been simply ready for me to die. [After waiting with me in the hospital for two weeks], my mom took me house, nursed me and made certain I cherished myself for who I’m and the way I used to be born.
Rising up within the township was laborious. Folks would snort and mock me. I might all the time get house crying due to what somebody mentioned, however my mom would remind me how particular I’m. And with this nomination, it clearly means I’ve bought one thing to provide to the world.
