Bonginkosi Dlamini, popularly known as Dr. Shakes, is a Swazi-born stand-up comedian, event host, and brand ambassador. With performances across most SADC countries, his humor transcends borders. Beyond the stage, Dr. Shakes is also an entrepreneur, founding the Eswatini International Comedy Festival and running multiple business ventures. In this interview, he shares insights into his journey, the challenges of balancing multiple roles, and the impact of his work.
Q: Please kindly introduce yourself to us and tell us what inspired you to pursue comedy. How did you get started in stand-up?
A: My name is Bonginkosi Dlamini, but most know me as Dr. Shakes. I’m a Swazi-born stand-up comedian, event host, and brand ambassador. I have performed across most SADC countries, including Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The energy and diversity of the crowds, especially in Zambia and Botswana, taught me how humor can transcend cultural differences, and that’s what keeps me going.
I have a background in Business Management and Leadership from IRDM College. My education has helped me not only with the business side of comedy—like managing gigs, contracts, and partnerships—but also in organizing large events such as the Eswatini International Comedy Festival, which I’m proud to have founded. It has also helped me start side businesses, such as TBB Cutters, known as ‘BAMB’INJA,’ which focuses on tree felling and land clearing, as well as a construction company.
My journey into comedy began at Mbabane Evangelical Church during Youth Sundays, where I’d crack jokes to entertain the congregation. The positive reactions and the joy I saw on people’s faces inspired me to take comedy more seriously.
Q: As someone wearing multiple hats, how do you balance comedy, entrepreneurship, and brand ambassadorship?
A: Balancing comedy, entrepreneurship, and brand ambassadorship requires a lot of planning, time management, and adaptability. My educational background in Business Management and Leadership has been instrumental in helping me stay organized and manage multiple roles effectively. In comedy, timing is everything—not just on stage, but also in life. I’ve learned to prioritize and structure my days to ensure that each responsibility gets the attention it deserves. For instance, when I’m working on comedy material or preparing for a performance, I give it my full focus. Similarly, when handling business for my clients or planning events, I switch gears and take a more strategic approach.
For brand ambassadorship, I make sure to align myself with brands that reflect my values and allow me to integrate my comedic personality naturally into their messaging. At the end of the day, the key is to stay organized, flexible, and passionate about everything I do. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work—it feels like purpose.
Q: How do you decide which brands to work with as an ambassador? What brands have you worked with and are currently working with?
A: It’s important that both parties benefit from the partnership. I consider whether the brand can enhance my platform while I help elevate their visibility and market reach. The brand’s values and message must align with my personal brand and comedic style. I prefer working with brands that promote positivity, creativity, and authenticity. If I can naturally incorporate humor and my personality into their messaging, it’s usually a good fit.
Currently, I am working with Eswatini Environmental Authority under the Phatsa Sakho Campaign, Eswatini Financial Times, and 8bet.
Q: What was the defining moment when you realized your work was making a real impact?
A: The defining moment when I realized my work was making a real impact was when a man—as the saying goes, “indoda ayikhali”—approached me after a show and told me that my comedy had helped him through a difficult time in his life. He said that he had been struggling with personal challenges and that watching my performances and some of the memes I post online gave him a reason to smile and helped him feel less alone. That moment made me realize that comedy isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about connecting with people on a deeper level and bringing them comfort through humor.
Q: How did your journey as a content creator evolve into becoming an entrepreneur? What inspired you to venture into entrepreneurship, and what businesses are you currently involved in?
A: My journey as a content creator naturally evolved into entrepreneurship when I realized that comedy and business share a lot of similarities—both require creativity, strategy, and consistency. As my comedy career grew, I started seeing opportunities to turn my platform into a business and create sustainable income streams beyond performances, like creating memes for businesses to educate people through humor.
What inspired me to venture into entrepreneurship was the desire to build something lasting and to empower other creatives. After performing in various comedy festivals across the SADC region, I saw how these platforms helped comedians grow their brands and reach new audiences. That’s what motivated me to launch the Eswatini International Comedy Festival—to create a platform for both local and international comedians to showcase their talent and grow Eswatini’s comedy industry. I am involved in several businesses, but I personally own a few.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your multifaceted career, and what have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
A: The most rewarding part of my multifaceted career is seeing the impact of my work on people’s lives. Whether it’s making someone laugh during a difficult time, helping a brand grow through strategic partnerships, or giving an upcoming comedian a platform through the Eswatini International Comedy Festival, knowing that my work is making a difference is incredibly fulfilling. Of course, the money is also a motivating factor.
Another rewarding aspect is the connections I’ve built—from collaborating with international comedians to working with respected brands and businesses. But it hasn’t always been easy. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is managing comedy, business ventures, and brand partnerships. It requires strong time management and the ability to switch between creative and business mind sets.
Q: What would winning an award for your memes mean to you personally and professionally?
A: Winning an award for my memes would be a huge validation both personally and professionally. On a personal level, it would mean that my creativity and sense of humor are resonating with people beyond the stage—that I’ve found a way to connect and make people laugh even in the digital space. It would affirm that comedy isn’t just about live performances, but also about how humor can translate into everyday content that people engage with online.
Q: What’s been the most unexpected opportunity to come from your work?
A: The most unexpected opportunity to come from my work was being invited to perform at the Soweto Comedy Festival. It was a major milestone because Soweto has such a rich history in African comedy and entertainment. Being recognized on that level and getting the chance to perform alongside some of the best comedians in the region was both humbling and motivating. Another unexpected opportunity was organizing the Eswatini International Comedy Festival. Initially, I didn’t expect it to grow as quickly as it did.
Q: How do you measure success across your different ventures?
A: I measure success across my different ventures using a mix of impact, growth, and personal fulfilment. Since I wear multiple hats—comedian, entrepreneur, and brand ambassador—success looks different depending on the area. Being invited to perform at events like the Soweto Comedy Festival and across the SADC region is a sign that my material is strong and relatable beyond my home audience. If the audience is laughing and engaged, that’s a win. Laughter is the immediate feedback that I’ve connected with them. When brands renew contracts or increase their level of involvement, it shows that the partnership is working.
Q: What’s next for you—any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon?
A: This year, we are continuing to expand the Eswatini International Comedy Festival. After last year’s festival, we are planning to broaden the scope by inviting even more international comedians and engaging larger audiences. I hope to make it an annual event that attracts more global recognition.
Q:Where can people catch your content on social media?
A: You can catch my content across various social media platforms where I share memes, and behind-the-scenes moments. Follow me on Instagram (@DrShakes_sd), Facebook (Dr Shakes), Twitter (@DrShakes_sd), and TikTok (@DrShakes) to stay entertained and updated on my latest work.
