MaForty Faces Fresh Fire as More Panelists Join The Roast in Bulawayo
Zimbabwean comedian Dumisani “MaForty” Ndlovu is preparing to take centre stage in a night of sharp humour and playful criticism as more creatives join the panel for “Watch My Weight – The Roast of MaForty” in Bulawayo. The highly anticipated comedy event is scheduled for tonight at a local entertainment venue and forms part of the fifth edition of the KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival. With additional personalities joining an already entertaining lineup, the roast promises to deliver plenty of laughter, personal jokes and humorous observations about the comedian’s life. MaForty, who has built a reputation for turning everyday experiences into comedy, will become the target of jokes from friends, fellow performers and other creative figures. The event offers audiences an opportunity to enjoy a different side of the comedian while celebrating his journey in Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry.
Arts administrator Saimon “Mambazo” Phiri, Coach M and Honest have been added to the growing list of panelists expected to take aim at MaForty. Their inclusion brings additional personalities to a show designed around humour, personal experiences and the relationships the comedian has built throughout his career. The new additions will join an original panel featuring award-winning musician Msiz’Kay, MaForty’s best friend Cruz and his younger sister Nokuthaba Ndlovu, popularly known as MaTwenty. Comedian Lyton, Zimpapers journalist Bongani Ndlovu and Don Milo, representing festival partner ByoPodcast, are also part of the lineup. With people from different backgrounds sharing the stage, the roast is expected to offer a variety of perspectives on MaForty’s personality, lifestyle and personal choices.
The roast stands out because it places MaForty himself in the hot seat, giving fellow creatives permission to joke about aspects of his life that might ordinarily be discussed in private conversations. Unlike a conventional comedy performance, where a comedian controls the jokes and directs the audience’s attention, a roast turns the spotlight on one individual. The featured personality becomes the subject of humorous criticism, often delivered by people who know them well. This format can create memorable moments because the jokes draw on real relationships, familiar experiences and personal stories. For MaForty, the challenge will be to take the jokes in good humour while showing audiences that he can laugh at himself just as effectively as he makes others laugh.
The concept behind “Watch My Weight – The Roast of MaForty” developed from the comedian’s planned one-man show, “Watching My Weight”. The original idea was inspired by the questions he regularly receives about marriage, having children and other personal milestones. Such questions are common in everyday conversations, particularly when people feel that someone should have reached certain stages of life by a particular age. Instead of treating these conversations as a source of frustration, MaForty saw an opportunity to turn them into comedy material. By transforming familiar social pressures into jokes, he has created a concept that many audience members may recognise from their own experiences.
MaForty explained that “Watching My Weight” began as a phrase he used when responding to people who asked when he intended to get married or have a child. Rather than offering lengthy explanations about his personal decisions, he would use the expression to communicate that he was handling his life in his own time. He later decided to incorporate material from a script he had written for “Watching My Weight” into a roast centred on himself. The decision allows him to turn questions that might otherwise become uncomfortable into entertainment for a live audience. It also places control of the narrative in his hands, giving him an opportunity to address personal expectations through humour rather than confrontation.
His explanation captures the central message behind the event, which is that people should have the freedom to make personal decisions according to their own circumstances. MaForty has made it clear that he is comfortable allowing people to joke about him because he does not feel pressured to follow other people’s timelines. His approach reflects a broader social experience in which questions about relationships, marriage and parenthood can become a regular part of family gatherings and conversations among friends. Although such questions are often asked out of curiosity or concern, they can sometimes create pressure for people whose lives do not follow conventional expectations. By making these subjects part of his comedy, MaForty can encourage audiences to recognise the humour in these situations while considering the importance of respecting individual choices.
The roast also demonstrates how comedians can transform ordinary experiences into material that connects with a wider audience. Comedy often draws its strength from situations people encounter in their daily lives, whether they involve relationships, family expectations, work or social pressure. When performers present these experiences in a humorous way, audiences can find relief in knowing that others face similar situations. MaForty’s decision to build a show around questions about his personal milestones gives the performance a relatable foundation. The roast format adds another dimension by allowing people who know him to offer their own interpretations of the experiences that inspired his material.
The participation of MaForty’s close friends and family members could be one of the most entertaining aspects of the show. His best friend Cruz and younger sister MaTwenty are likely to bring perspectives shaped by their personal relationships with the comedian. People who have known someone for a long time often have stories and observations that are difficult for outsiders to replicate. Their contributions can add familiarity and personality to a roast, making the humour feel connected to the individual rather than based on general insults. Alongside the other panelists, they will help create a performance built around MaForty’s public persona and the experiences that have shaped his comedy journey.
The presence of musicians, comedians, media personalities and arts administrators also reflects the connections that exist across Bulawayo’s creative community. Comedy festivals can bring together people working in different areas of entertainment, creating opportunities for collaboration and greater visibility. When artists from music, journalism and comedy share a programme, audiences gain exposure to different forms of creative expression. These interactions can also strengthen relationships within the industry and encourage performers to explore new ideas. The expanded panel for the MaForty roast reflects this mix of personalities, giving the event a broader entertainment appeal.
The show is one of the highlights of the fifth edition of the KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival, which is running under the theme “Give Me 5 – High 5”. The festival began on October 28 and is scheduled to conclude on November 1, bringing several days of comedy and creative entertainment to Bulawayo. Reaching a fifth edition marks an important point in the festival’s development and provides an opportunity to celebrate the performers and audiences who have contributed to its journey. The programme also creates space for comedians to present their work, connect with audiences and develop their presence within Zimbabwe’s entertainment scene. The MaForty roast adds a distinctive feature to this year’s programme by combining personal storytelling with the energy of a live comedy performance.
The KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival plays a valuable role in creating opportunities for comedy to reach audiences in a structured entertainment setting. Stand-up comedy depends on more than the talent of individual performers, as artists also need platforms where they can test material, build confidence and develop a following. Festivals can help provide those opportunities by bringing performers and audiences together around a shared interest in humour. They also give audiences a chance to discover comedians they may not have encountered through television, online videos or social media. By including a roast built around a familiar local personality, the festival adds variety to its programme and highlights the different ways comedy can be presented.
For MaForty, the event represents an opportunity to use his own experiences as the foundation for a different kind of performance. His reputation for finding humour in everyday situations provides a natural starting point for a roast that invites others to share their observations about him. The concept also allows him to demonstrate confidence in his comedic identity by giving fellow creatives the freedom to make jokes at his expense. A successful roast relies on timing, delivery and an understanding of the relationship between the person being roasted and the panelists. The audience will be watching not only for the jokes but also for MaForty’s reactions and the exchanges that develop as the evening unfolds.
Ultimately, “Watch My Weight – The Roast of MaForty” brings together humour, friendship and personal storytelling in a format designed to entertain audiences at the KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival. The addition of Saimon “Mambazo” Phiri, Coach M and Honest strengthens an already diverse panel featuring musicians, comedians, journalists and people close to MaForty. The show’s central idea, built around questions about marriage, children and personal milestones, gives the event a relatable theme that extends beyond the comedian himself. It also reinforces the idea that comedy can help people respond to social expectations with confidence and a sense of perspective. As the festival celebrates its fifth edition in Bulawayo, MaForty’s roast promises to be a memorable part of the programme and another opportunity to showcase the creativity and humour driving Zimbabwe’s comedy scene.
