Roast of Saimon Phiri Turns 50th Birthday into Night of Laughter

Saimon “Mambazo” Phiri celebrated his belated 50th birthday on Saturday night with a comedic twist at the Bulawayo Theatre. The “Roast of Saimon” formed part of his “50 Dates at the Theatre” series, presented in partnership with Umahlekisa Entertainment.

The evening broke from tradition, foregoing cake for laughter. Roast Master and Umahlekisa director Ntando Van Moyo opened the event, promising to honour Mambazo by exposing every awkward and embarrassing moment from his past. Friends and colleagues mercilessly teased him, blending humour with affection to celebrate his larger-than-life personality.

The original roast panel included Bulawayo Chiefs FC CEO Thulani “Javas” Sibanda, journalist Bongani “Inkunzi” Ndlovu, and others, though some, including Sindiso “Sindora” Dube and rapper Asaph Afrika, were absent. Their absence allowed local comedians to step up. Zwe Hlabangana, General Lesley, and MaForty delivered sharp, varied humour, keeping the audience engaged and laughter flowing throughout the night.

MaForty disarmed jokes by targeting himself, delighting the crowd with self-deprecating quips about his eyes. Inkunzi delivered rapid-fire one-liners, while General Lesley offered wry observations about the panellists and audience alike. Javas used deadpan delivery to land insider jabs from decades of friendship, recalling Mambazo’s chaotic Siyaya Arts days and amusing food experiments.

Throughout the roast, Mambazo remained composed, notebook in hand, seemingly taking notes on every jab. At one point, he led the audience in song, reminding everyone of his showmanship. When it was his turn, he returned every joke with precision, turning the tables on the panellists. He playfully targeted MaForty, Inkunzi, Lesley, Javas, and even those absent, proving no one was immune from his wit.

The audience, a mix of Bulawayo’s arts and culture community, responded with near-constant laughter. The event highlighted not only Mambazo’s humour and resilience but also the energy and creativity of the “50 Dates at the Theatre” series, which began on August 19 and continues through November 1.

The roast confirmed Mambazo’s influence in Bulawayo’s arts scene, combining celebration, comedy, and community in a memorable night that set a high standard for future events.