She's a funny story

Even though comedian Lerato Sokhulu has spent most of her professional life behind the scenes, it's clear she was born to be on stage. Ingrid Corbett sat down with 'Rapunzulu' to find out how she's carved out a space for herself as a comedian in a male-dominated industry.

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Turns out Lerato Sokhulu is not just a funny woman. When I met her in the lobby at the Baxter Theatre a few months ago, we joked a bit back and forth and she made me laugh, so I started following her on Instagram. Yes, she hosts a stand-up show every month called Selective Comedy, and yes, she's as hilarious as she is loud. But I was delighted to discover that she has a number of other talents...

When did you figure out you were funny?

My dad was the comedian of our family, and on my mom's side, everyone is a jokester. I was always the class clown, but I never thought it would turn into a career.

Where did you start out? 

I matriculated in Durban and then moved to Cape Town to study acting and producing at AFDA in 2007. I spent some time in Joburg after I graduated but couldn't find my focus, so I moved back to Durban. In 2015, I got a job as a radio presenter for Gagasi FM, a regional youth station. I spent a few years there and, in 2017, moved to Vuma FM, which had a more mature audience. I hosted a night-time show and started a slot that featured stories about the crazy stuff that happens in the last taxi ride home. I'd tell my own stories about tired, drunk, crazy people, and then open up the platform for readers to call in with their own tales. The anecdotes were hilarious, and the show got great ratings. I was nominated for a Liberty Radio Award for Best Night-Time Show. I didn't win, but I still consider it a milestone moment in my career.

You left radio and got into television and film...