I did it! I actually did it! I grew from an audience of 3 to an audience of 33. I learnt that I do have universal appeal, it is just a matter of putting my ear to the ground and understanding the sensibility and reference point of the people I am speaking to. Edinburgh fringe is a beast that can be tamed – You just have to be willing to get off your arse and do the work.

I got through my last three shows like a marathon runner at the end of the Comrades – tired, beaten, but winning. Seeing the finishing line and finding that last bit of chutzpah to make it count. I made new friends and fans, and a newfound hunger to break into a market outside the African continent. I grew up (grudgingly at first) and toned my comedy muscle. I finished like a winner. 

I expected to be emotional, to feel like it had all ended too soon and to have a cathartic “this is where I belong” feeling. But no, I ended my last show, took my last bow, and walked away with a smile. Not a single show cancelled, no walk-outs. No complaints. Encouraging and raving words from audiences online and after my show. The critics? I wish I gave a rats ass, but this time around, I didn’t. That isn’t why I was there. I was there to see if the people can feel me regardless of where they are from, and they did. I’ll worry about the critics next year when they affect my ticket sales. And every night, without fail, I brought my A game. I am effing proud of myself dammit!!!

And, as usual, the universe surrounded me with the right people: I lived with someone who had done the Fringe before and I worked with two technicians who went the extra mile to support me and the show (God bless Dani who pulled a  cool trick in my last show LOL!). I was part of a festival who’s team stayed on top of things and were true to their word in terms of being there to answer any questions I hand or hold my hand when necessary. My bestie came over to Edinburgh twice, hugely diluting my loneliness.  I met a wonderful lady who offered me her time and transport. I had no reason to fail. I am forever grateful, and continue to count my blessings.

I got home and went straight into a line up show, performing to over a thousand people, which suddenly felt foreign. I had to triple that Edinburgh energy I came back with and remember, “This is Mzansi, alive and abuzz from hello”. I felt overwhelmed lol! Oh, and I won the Mbokodo Award for Comedy. VERY chuffed. Didn’t see it coming, so it was a  definitely a lovely welcome home. 

Now I wonder, will I continue blogging? This was my release in Edinburgh, my one way of letting it all out. Now I am home, funny enough, not quite in my comfort zone. I have set the bar a high for myself, and cannot even find it in myself to relax because I have this insatiable hunger now to be more…To do more…To understand my calling and embark on it with minimum fear and maximum fierceness.

But first, let’s pop this baby shall we? LOL!

PS, if you happen to be in PE, come watch me get my mojo back at Mass Hysteria this Saturday (September 7th)