Looking for a festive laugh? Here’s why ‘The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini’ is an oldie but a goodie

It’s that time of the year when everyone is looking forward to unwinding and getting some much-needed rest.

If you are tired of the deluge of Christmas movies currently on offer, I would highly recommend watching “The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini”.

The comedy special, which was part of the Savanna and Showmax Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, generated a fair amount of hype earlier in the year.

With so much going on, I only got around to watching it this week.

And I’m not gonna lie, it was firing on all cylinders with roastmasters Tumi Morake and Jason Goliath and a panel of top-notch celebrities: Trevor Gumbi, Shahan Ramkissoon, Celeste Ntuli, Lasizwe, Penny Lebyane, Da L.E.S (before his July stroke), Siv Ngesi and Robert Marawa.

Morake and Goliath pulled no punches as they set the tone for the night’s roasting.

Goliath joked about Marawa breaking many hearts with his heart, breaking every time he did so - a witty reference to the sports broadcaster surviving two heart attacks.

Morake threw shade at Lasizwe by introducing him as Khanyi Mbau’s little sister while Goliath chipped in about him still looking for a Lip Ice sponsor.

None of the panellists were spared their comedic wrath, with Gumbi introduced as Trevor but not as that Trevor or the other Trevor but the result of what you would get if you put both Trevors together and sprinkled some nyaope on them.

Morake celebrated Ntuli being in the house but noted that her English was still on the way. Da L.E.S was acknowledged as a Bryanston-wide icon.

Shots were fired at Lebyane for being fresh off the back of Fresh’s back for her beef with the DJ while the roastmasters struggled to wrap their tongues around the name of news personality Ramkissoon and noted that Ngesi was there to fill the white quota.

Goliath joked that he looked like he was raised in simulcast while Morake said: “But enough, enough guys about this race-betraying, drag-appropriating f**kboy who was playing with a hula hoop at the back.”

Desmond Dube’s target market - Marawa - was the first to take the stage as Morake shouted ‘Put your defibrillators in the air”.

The witty repartee flowed throughout the roast with a cross-pollination of similar-themed jokes.

Marawa was dragged for his weak heart and dating slay queens, and Lasizwe took it a step further and cracked jokes about his recent dental work.

Gumbi took a lot of hits (pun unintended) about his drug battles, Ntuli was assaulted by potshots about her English and masculinity.

Da L.E.S was the punching bag for being as irrelevant as his all-white parties as well as a mama's boy.

Lebyane was mocked for being a dated celebrity and the only person who has a Duku Duku award.

While Ramkissoon was complimented for being well-groomed and having great hair and a beard, he was dragged for not being known and for launching a gin called Lenyora.

Lasizwe flexed his Gen Z swag, throwing shade at everyone by asking them to raise their hands if their first phone was smart.

He did well with his ageist jibes, but he wasn’t immune to the blowbacks on his Michael Jackson outfit, being famous for videos people watch when they take a s*** and being a “Somizi light”.

Gumbi also cautioned him about picking a fight with Somizi.

Ngesi braved many gay and white jokes but he took it on the chin and gave back as good as he got.

Goliath fielded a barrage of insults about his weight and diet, while Morake was dragged for her failed career, many children and love of African men.

Of course, when it came to the lady of the moment, Dlamini was roasted for marrying the help, failing as a gold digger, having an unsuccessful career and marriage and being behind Bafana Bafana’s losing streak after she dated Itumeleng Khune.

Overall, all the panellists - barring DA L.E.S - brought the heat and Dlamini retaliated with rapid-fire insults.

If you are having a gathering at home over the festive season, this show is a must-watch.

∎ “The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini” is streaming on Showmax.