CinisoGamedze, widely known in entertainment circles and comedy as Darren, was born and raised at Mbikwake, Matsapha.
His realisation that he had a knack for comedy arrived after watching local entertainer Gedlembane perform on stage, an experience that convinced him he could do it too.
From his very first live performance, Darren quickly learned that audiences love and enjoy comedy shows, reinforcing his belief that he must always be well-prepared.
His style of comedy, heavily rooted in his home township culture (ekasi), resonates widely with diverse crowds as he performs across various venues.
Early on, he drew inspiration from fellow comedian Bongiswa Masondo, popularly known as Fohlas, as well as several prominent South African acts.
Among his fondest stage memories was performing last year at the SibaneSami Hotel International Comedy Festival, a show that coincided with his birthday and allowed him to fully enjoy the moment.
Building a name in the industry was not without its hurdles, as financial difficulties frequently made progress tough. Yet, beyond his comedic talents, Gamedze is also a skilled professional dancer.
Now, the comedian is beginning a new chapter of his career following the end of his creative partnership with Bongiswa, with whom he built the popular comedy brand Angisati Ngitsin.
Darren recently opened up about the transition, revealing the emotional and professional uncertainty that followed the separation while reflecting on the talent and experience he believes remain his to build on.
Darren said he initially tried to save the partnership when he was informed that it was coming to an end. He explained that he fought for Angisati Ngitsin to continue but eventually had to accept the decision. He also recalled telling his manager that he had been fired, only to later learn that the manager had also been let go.
The experience took a heavy emotional toll. Known for using humour to entertain audiences, Darren revealed that he cried during the period that followed, showing a more vulnerable side of an entertainer whose public identity was largely built around making people laugh.
However, one piece of advice helped him look at the situation differently. Darren said he was reminded that although the partnership could be taken away, his talent could not. That message has become particularly significant as he considers life beyond Angisati Ngitsin.
The duo spent years building an audience through comedy skits based on everyday situations and memorable characters. Their digital content eventually developed into live performances, taking them beyond social media and onto major stages across Eswatini and South Africa.
Their development was formally recognised when they won the 2022 Social Media Award for Best Comedians of the Year, having previously received a nomination for Best Comedy Series at the 2020 MTN SWAMA Awards.
In 2024, the pair expanded their creative work into theatre with their one-act production, ‘As We Were Saying’, staged at the Mbabane Theatre Club.
The production brought characters from their online comedy into a longer theatrical setting, demonstrating that their work had evolved well beyond short social media clips.
However, the end of the partnership has now forced Darren to consider what he can create without the identity of Angisati Ngitsin beside him.
During a recent podcast, he acknowledged that he was still searching for closure and had questioned why he was removed from the partnership.
The uncertainty also made him question whether he had been good enough. At the same time, he made it clear that the separation had not destroyed his personal relationship with Bongiswa.
When Bongiswa was contacted during the podcast, he explained that the two had grown and eventually reached a point where they were pursuing different paths.
His explanation did not portray the separation as the result of a major dispute. Darren also acknowledged Bongiswa’s skill as a comedian and wished him well in his future work.
The two, however, have not seen each other since the split. Darren said they had planned to meet, but Bongiswa did not show up.
Questions surrounding the Angisati Ngitsin social media page also surfaced during the discussion, with Darren responding humorously and maintaining that there had been no major fallout between them.
For audiences who followed the duo, the separation represents the end of a familiar comedy partnership. For Darren, however, it marks the beginning of an entirely different professional challenge: establishing a name that can stand independently.
That challenge comes after years in which his creative identity was closely connected to Angisati Ngitsin.
He must now determine what his individual comedy will look like, what stories he wants to tell and how he wants audiences to experience him outside the partnership.
Although he admitted that he had not fully developed his next project when the split occurred, his experience provides a solid foundation to build from.
From social media comedy to live stage performances, collaborations and theatre, Darren has experienced many sides of the entertainment industry.
The question now is not simply what happened to Angisati Ngitsin, but what Darren can create after it. His appearance on Banele WJLM’s podcast offered audiences a look at the person behind the jokes and the uncertainty behind the performer.
For Darren, the next chapter requires turning years of shared experience into an individual creative identity. The laughter may have started as a partnership, but his next story will be entirely his own.
