In the heart of the Shiselweni District lies the humble Hlatikulu, a place where time seems to slow and wisdom is passed down through the gentle guidance of matriarchs.
It was here that Cedric, the rising star of the Eswatini comedy scene, was forged. Raised under the watchful eyes of his grandmother, Cedric’s identity is inextricably linked to his roots. He proudly defines himself as ‘Umfanwagogo’ and credits his village upbringing as the bedrock of his comedic perspective. “My childhood was the foundation of everything I am today,” he reflects. “I am the true definition of ‘Umfanwagogo’ and my fondest memories are rooted in that upbringing observing the world through her wisdom and the simple life of the village,” he said.
However, the quietude of Hlatikulu eventually gave way to the frantic, neon-lit energy of the capital. This migration from rural simplicity to urban chaos became the catalyst for his artistic evolution. The jarring contrast between village life and city struggles provided a goldmine of observational material, ultimately culminating in his critically acclaimed, sold-out one-man show, Umfanwagogo from Hlatikhulu to the capital.
Cedric is far from a one-dimensional performer. He is a man of many layers, a certified tour guide and a seasoned office administrator with over six years of experience in the tourism sector. Rather than distracting from his craft, his professional life feeds it. The tourism industry, with its revolving door of eccentric personalities and diverse cultures, serves as a laboratory for his character studies.
This professional background also lends him a unique edge as a corporate MC. He has mastered the delicate art of balancing the rigid discipline required in a boardroom with the raw, unpredictable energy of a comedy club. This duality ensures that whenever Cedric holds a microphone, the audience encounters a version of him that is both polished and authentically raw.
At Emfuleni Lifestyle, Cedric found his footing. The weekly frequency of his shows forced him to sharpen his writing and refine his timing. It was also where he learnt the sobering reality of the industry. He recalls Mdura’s stern warning after his debut, ‘gents if you’re doing this for girls and fame , can I please not fetch you next week’ .
For Cedric, this was a moment of clarity. “This statement on its own made me realise that I wasn’t here for the fame since I’m just a boy from Hlatikhulu and as for girls I didn’t have that much of a pressure since I wasn’t that handsome and stuff,” he said.
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