Darren Gamedze has spoken publicly for the first time since the split of comedy duo AngisatiNgitsin, opening up about the end of the partnership, the impact it had on him and what he plans to do now that he is working independently.
Darren was speaking during an hour-long episode of Banele WLJM’s podcast, which premiered yesterday.
The interview covered his journey as a comedian, his family, his experiences as an artist in Eswatini and the circumstances surrounding the end of his partnership with Bongiswa Masondo.
Although the conversation was largely relaxed and humorous, Darren also spoke openly about the difficult period following the split.
Angisati Ngitsin became known for its comedy skits and live performances, with Darren and Bongiswa building a following through their characters and observations of everyday life.
Their work eventually moved beyond social media, with the duo performing at different events and sharing stages with comedians such as Sifiso Nene, Nonto R, Vusi Mongwe, Simphiwe Shembeand Abuti Lolo.
The pair also performed in South Africa, including at the Ehlanzeni TVET Pre-Exam Comedy Jam in Mpumalanga. Their performances in Eswatini included the Southern African Nazarene University closing bash and other comedy events.
Their popularity was further recognised when they won the 2022 Social Media Awards for Best Comedians of the Year. They had also previously been nominated for the 2020 MTN SWAMA Awards for Best Comedy Series.
In 2024, the two took their comedy to the theatre with ‘As We Were Saying’, a one-act production staged at the Mbabane Theatre Club. The show featured characters from their comedy work and marked another step in their development as performers.
The end of the partnership therefore became a subject of interest among their followers. During the podcast, Darren said he was aware that people would have questions about the split, but he chose not to immediately address them publicly.
He said when he received the news, he accepted it and continued with his life. Darren revealed that he had tried to prevent the partnership from ending.
He said he fought for the partnership not to end but eventually had to accept the decision. He also told the podcast that he informed his manager that he had been fired. The manager later told him that he too had been fired.
The comedian admitted that the situation affected him. He said he was hurt and disappointed by what had happened and that he cried during the period that followed.
He explained that someone later gave him advice that helped him look at the situation differently: the partnership may have ended, but his talent had not been taken away from him.
The end of the duo also brought attention to Darren’s next move. He said people began scrutinising his movements and watching what he would say, particularly because there were questions about what had happened between the two comedians.
Darren said this attention came at a time when he had not yet started working on his next project or fully developed what he would do independently. In addition, he said he is still trying to get closure about the split.
One of the questions he continues to have is what exactly led to him being removed from the partnership. He said the situation left him questioning whether he was good enough and why he had been let go.
Despite this, Darren maintained that his relationship with Bongiswa remains good. During the interview, Bongiswa was called on the phone and asked about the decision to end AngisatiNgitsin.
Bongiswa explained that the two had grown and had reached a point where they were following different paths. He did not describe the separation as the result of a major disagreement between the two.
The two maintained during the conversation that they still get along. Darren said Bongiswa remains his friend and acknowledged his ability as a comedian. He said he knows Bongiswa is good at what he does and wished him well in his future work.
Darren also revealed that the two have not seen each other since the split. He said they had planned to meet, but Bongiswa did not show up. The question of the Angisati Ngitsin social media page also came up during the interview.
When Darren was asked whether he still had access to the duo’s page, he responded humorously. He maintained that there was no major incident between the two and said they had simply stopped working together.
The conversation then moved to Darren’s life outside the comedy partnership. He spoke about his beginnings as an artist and the support he has received from his family, particularly his mother. He explained that his family has supported his journey and the work he has chosen to pursue.
Darren also spoke about how he lives despite the public profile he has gained through comedy.He said there is no pressure in his life and that he continues to interact with people normally. He still takes public transport, including the kombi, and continues to engage with people in his everyday life.
For now, Darren said he has begun working on his next project. He explained that he still needs to develop his craft and determine where he wants to take his work. The end of Angisati Ngitsin has allowed him to work independently and decide what comes next for him.
It was while discussing this new chapter that Darren described his current position simply: “I’m free now.”The statement came as he spoke about being able to make his own decisions about his work and future.
Darren did not announce a specific new project during the interview. Instead, he said he is still in the process of finding his direction and working on his craft.
His comments also showed that, despite the questions he still has about the split, he does not appear interested in turning the situation into a public dispute with Bongiswa.
He repeatedly referred to Bongiswa as his friend, said they still get along and acknowledged his talent. For Darren, however, there are still unanswered questions about how their professional relationship ended.
He said he would like to understand what happened and what led to the decision to remove him from the partnership. Until he gets that closure, he is left with questions about whether he was good enough and why the partnership had to end.
The podcast provided Darren with his first lengthy opportunity to speak about the situation since the split. Rather than announcing an immediate replacement for Angisati Ngitsin or presenting a finished new project, he spoke about having the space to determine what his individual career will look like.
The comedian now has to build beyond a partnership that had become closely associated with his public identity.
For the moment, he says he is taking that opportunity to work independently. Darren Gamedze is no longer speaking as one half of Angisati Ngitsin. He is now figuring out what comes next for Darren.
