Pepe & Shodi turn everyday life into laughter

By Siphesihle Dlamini

When laughter meets purpose, it creates something bigger than comedy; it creates connection. In Eswatini, few names echo louder in that space than Pepe & Shodi, the dynamic duo who’ve turned everyday struggles into punchlines and relatable experiences into roaring laughter.

What began as a casual encounter at a school talent show has blossomed into one of the Kingdom’s most exciting comedic partnerships.

Sitting across from Pepe, one half of the duo, his enthusiasm is contagious. He spoke for both himself and his partner, Shodi, with the kind of brotherly affection that can only come from shared dreams and late-night brainstorms.

“We met with Shodi last year at LaMawandla High School,” Pepe recalled, “on the 2nd of August, during a talent show hosted by an organisation. Shodi was scheduled to perform as a comedian, while I was just visiting from Hhelehhele.

Although we hadn’t met before, he already knew my work from social media, especially my TikTok and Facebook videos that were trending at the time.”

That fateful day would soon mark the beginning of a new comedic chapter in Eswatini. “After my visit, he approached me about collaborating on a comedy project,” Pepe said.

“We decided to meet the following Sunday since he was busy with work during the week. We shot four videos that day, and when I posted the first one, it blew up. Over 1.5 million views.”

That single viral moment turned into momentum. Fans flooded their pages with comments, demanding more content from the pair. “The response was overwhelming,” Pepe shared with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

“People were loving our chemistry, and before we knew it, Pepe & Shodi became a household name.”

Behind the laughter, however, lies a story rooted in survival. “Honestly, comedy chose us out of necessity,” Pepe said. “We come from humble backgrounds, so we had to find a way to make ends meet.

It wasn’t about fame; it was about survival. Comedy became our bread and butter, a way to support our families and put food on the table.”

Their journey into comedy wasn’t paved with luxury or connections; it was built on resilience and improvisation. Both men, driven by the weight of responsibility and the love of laughter, found solace in humour. And perhaps that’s what makes their art resonate, it comes from a real place.

When asked how they would describe their comedic style, they said, “We tell stories about ordinary life. Our jokes come from observing people, family life, community drama, those little things everyone can relate to.”

Indeed, their comedy thrives on the simplicity of everyday life. “We talk about things that are relevant to emaSwati,” he continued. “Our humour comes from their experiences. It’s authentic, down-to-earth, and reflective of the times we live in.

” Each skit they perform is a mirror to the Eswatini experience, sometimes exaggerated, sometimes painfully real, but always crafted with care.

While the laughter flows easily on camera, the behind-the-scenes reality isn’t as lighthearted. Pepe admitted that financial struggles remain a constant battle.

“One of our major challenges is securing enough financial support to represent our brand properly. We can’t even afford the right attire sometimes. It’s tough because producing content is expensive,” he confessed.

He explained that they shoot every Sunday, dedicating both time and money to the craft. “Each week, Shodi spends around E100 just to make things work. We need sponsorships and partnerships, people or brands who believe in us, to help take our work further.”

There’s also the pressure of quality. “People expect more and more from us,” Pepe sighed. “They want better videos, better production, and funnier jokes. That pushes us to work harder, even with limited resources.”

Yet, despite the obstacles, the duo remains relentless. “We’re doing this not only for ourselves but for the growth of comedy in Eswatini. The industry is still developing, but we want to help build it from the ground up.”

Pepe & Shodi have mastered the art of weaving Eswatini culture into their sketches. “We love incorporating local traditions and social issues into our work,” Pepe explained. “We use humour to educate, to make people reflect while they laugh. Our goal is to entertain, yes, but also to spark conversations.”

Their comedy, often grounded in Swazi customs, challenges the audience to laugh at themselves while recognising the deeper messages hidden beneath the humour. “It’s laughter with a lesson,” Pepe added. Among their many performances, a few stand out vividly in Pepe’s memory.

“Performing at Liberty Community Centre on April 29 this year was unforgettable,” he said. “We shared the stage with artists like Makwa Sfonyo, Mcola Lohlebako, and Mavara LePoet. We also performed at Malindza FEA Church, it was pure magic. The audience couldn’t stop laughing!”

Another highlight came when they shared a stage with Mduduzi Ncube and Fanatic SA, the minds behind the hit ‘Ngeke Ngimyeke,’ at Scandza Bar in Sphofaneni. “That was one of those nights you never forget,” Pepe grinned. “We’ve performed at over 15 venues across the country.

Every crowd is different, but the energy is always beautiful.” Their creative process is a balance of discipline and spontaneity. “When we prepare for a new sketch, we brainstorm ideas, script the dialogue, and rehearse our delivery,” Pepe explained.

“But improvisation is key. Some of our funniest moments happen when we go off script.”

Improvisation, he added, “keeps things fresh and unpredictable. We feed off each other’s energy, and that makes every performance unique.” Comedy can sometimes tiptoe dangerously close to controversy, but Pepe insisted they always approach sensitive topics with care.

“We don’t want to offend. We want to make people think,” he stated firmly. “We highlight issues through humour without crossing the line. We respect our audience’s emotions and boundaries.”

It’s this balance, of honesty and empathy, that keeps their comedy relatable and respected. When it comes to inspiration, Pepe doesn’t hesitate. “Locally, Bongiswa Masondo inspires us,” he remarked. “Internationally, it must be Kevin Hart, his hustle, his humour, his energy. We study his work a lot.”

Pepe also reflected on the evolution of Eswatini’s comedy scene. “It’s growing fast,” he said. “We’ve got new talents like Christian Dude and Ronnie & King Mora bringing fresh energy. Comedy festivals like ECOFEST and ‘Comedy in the Wild for the Wild’ are giving us platforms to shine. Social media has also opened doors, TikTok and Facebook have made it easier for us to reach wider audiences.”

According to Pepe, the rise of digital platforms has turned Eswatini into a comedy incubator. “We’re not where we want to be yet, but the progress is inspiring.” Pepe’s tone softened as he reflected on their purpose. “We want to bring people together,” he said. “Laughter heals, and in a world full of stress, our comedy offers relief. If someone can forget their problems for five minutes because of us, we’ve done our job.”

He paused before adding, “Our goal is to leave a legacy, to contribute to Eswatini’s comedy scene and inspire the next generation of comedians.” On stage, Pepe & Shodi are electric, one sets up the punchline, the other knocks it down with precision timing.

“We’re like two halves of one brain,” Pepe joked. “On stage, our chemistry is magic. Off stage, we’re brothers, always supporting and pushing each other.”

Their dynamic thrives on mutual respect and shared goals. “We laugh together, argue sometimes, but always come back to the mission: making people happy.” For the duo, humour isn’t just about jokes, it’s a social tool. “We use comedy to comment on life, culture, and relationships,” Pepe explained.

“We make people laugh, but we also make them think.”

This delicate balance between humour and depth is what sets Pepe & Shodi apart. Their comedy often carries subtle reflections on societal issues, from family values to cultural identity, wrapped neatly in laughter. Pepe admitted their journey wasn’t always met with applause.

“At first, people didn’t take us seriously,” he recalled. “But as we kept going, they began to see our passion and authenticity. Today, the love we receive from emaSwati and even South Africans is incredible.”

Their social media presence has played a huge role in that growth. “Facebook has been our biggest stage,” he said. “It’s where we built our fanbase. The feedback keeps us motivated.”

The duo has fully embraced the power of digital platforms. “TikTok and Facebook changed everything,” Pepe stated. “We connect directly with fans, post our skits, share behind-the-scenes clips, and get instant reactions. It’s amazing how technology has given us a global audience from right here in Eswatini.”

Asked what advice they’d give to upcoming comedians, Pepe doesn’t hesitate. “Be original. Don’t try to copy anyone,” he insisted. “Find your own voice, stay consistent, and use social media to your advantage.” He added, “Network with others in the industry. Collaborate.

Learn. Most importantly, have fun and don’t give up, even when it’s hard.”

Pepe also shared their upcoming plans. “We’re hosting a comedy event on December 26th at Mcozini High School Hall,” he said proudly. “It’s going to be big! We’ll be sharing the stage with amazing acts like Makwa S’fonyo, Ronnie & King Mora, Sewakhile Comedy, and many others.

Passion Master will be our headliner!”

He smiled as he mentioned, “We’re still open for sponsors to make it even bigger. We want to give emaSwati the gift of laughter this festive season.” When the lights go off and the laughter fades, Pepe & Shodi turn to something equally close to their hearts, farming.

“Outside comedy, we’re passionate about agriculture,” Pepe revealed. “We have a 5-hectare piece of land we’d love to cultivate. The only challenge is funding, we need resources for irrigation, fencing, seeds, and labour. But we believe one day it’ll happen.”

Their dreams stretch beyond the stage. Comedy may be their present, but agriculture, they hope, will secure their future. Looking ahead, Pepe is optimistic. “Comedy in Eswatini has a bright future,” he said confidently.

“With more festivals, online platforms, and cross-border collaborations, the world will soon recognise our talent.”

“We’re just two guys who love to make people laugh. If our jokes can change someone’s day, even for a moment, then we’ve done our job.”