Shoko Festival has reinforced its commitment to celebrating Zimbabwean creative talent after naming acclaimed comedian Nigel Maritinyu, popularly known as Nigel Tha Slick Pastor, as the headline act for the 2026 Shoko Comedy Night.
The comedy showcase, scheduled for September 24 at Harare Gardens, forms part of the festival’s 16th edition, which will run under the theme “Unmuted” ,a call to amplify artistic voices, creative freedom and cultural expression.
For more than a decade, Shoko Festival has established itself as Zimbabwe’s leading urban culture platform, bringing together comedians, musicians, spoken word artists, activists and digital creators while fostering conversations around youth culture and social change.
This year’s comedy lineup reflects that vision, combining established stars with emerging talent. Nigel Tha Slick Pastor, widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s top stand-up comedians, will headline the event following a successful tour of the United Kingdom.
Expressing his excitement, Nigel said performing at Shoko Festival was a significant career milestone and promised fans an unforgettable show.
“I am so excited to be this year’s headliner at Shoko, such a big festival and prestigious stage. This will also be my first time performing live in Harare this year so all my fans can look forward to a very special experience and memorable night,” he said.
He encouraged comedy lovers to attend, saying the event would be one of the standout entertainment experiences of the year.
Sharing the stage with Nigel will be fast-rising comedian Glad Syre Chipenzi, popularly known as Chipenzi, whose growing popularity has positioned him among the country’s promising new comic voices.
Also on the bill is Neville Farai Nyoni, known to audiences as Neville Bird, whose blend of comedy, music and acoustic guitar performances has earned him a unique place in Zimbabwe’s entertainment scene.
The evening will be hosted by actress and comedian Sharon Chideu, affectionately known as Magi, a familiar personality to many through her work on Bustop TV.
According to Shoko Festival Co-ordinator Natasha Sipanera, the lineup was carefully curated to balance established performers with emerging acts.
“This year’s line up for the Shoko Comedy Night is a testament to Shoko Festival’s commitment to celebrating local stars and providing a platform to unheralded talent, in tandem with this year’s theme, Unmuted,” she said.
Over the years, Shoko Festival has played a key role in launching and elevating careers in Zimbabwe’s comedy sector. Recent headliners have included King Kandoro and Learnmore Jonasi, while previous editions have showcased comedians such as Carl Joshua Ncube, Long John, Doc Vikela, Q Dube and Kenya’s Justine Wanda.
Beyond comedy, the festival has become a major platform for African music and urban culture, hosting performers from across the continent and continuing to shape Zimbabwe’s creative landscape.
