ENTERTAINMENT
5 MINUTES WITH A COMEDIAN
Carl Weber
BY VENECIA VALENTINE
COMEDIAN CARL WEBER KNOWS ONE UNIVERSAL TRUTH: IF YOU CAN’ T LAUGH AT IT, IT WILL PROBABLY LAUGH AT YOU. WE PUT HIM IN THE HOT SEAT …
YOU GREW UP IN BLOEMFONTEIN, HOW DID THAT SHAPE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR?
Growing up in Bloem, my biggest influences for comedy was Tolla van de Merwe. My dad had these TDK 90 audio cassettes of Tolla’ s jokes and I’ d listen on repeat. Also growing up you needed a thick skin and sharp wit to keep up with the roasting from friends.
WHAT FIRST PULLED YOU FROM BLOEM TO THE CAPE TOWN COMEDY SCENE?
As much as I love Bloem it’ s a small town and I knew if I wanted to make it in this industry, I would have to come to Cape Town. Besides, Cape Town is the most beautiful city with the funniest people – and I’ m not talking about the comedians. Cape town has a vibe like no other city; less teeth but more vibe.
HOW DOES A CAPE TOWN CROWD DIFFER FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY?
I just feel at home performing to a Cape Town crowd. They come to laugh. They can definitely take a joke because they will clap back very fast.
WHAT’ S THE MOST CAPE TOWN THING YOU’ VE EVER JOKED ABOUT ON STAGE?
How no one wants to sit in the front row. We don’ t like the front row. Even when it comes to our teeth. NO FRONT ROW!
IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT BLOEMFONTEIN THAT STILL SNEAKS INTO YOUR MATERIAL?
Absolutely, my mom is still in Bloem and she is the most unintentional funny person I know. She is always telling me how the light in the room is“ con-fused”.
WHICH CITY HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST WHEN PERFORMING THERE?
Durban, only because it’ s such a strange phenomenon that 90 % of Durban residents do not speak Afrikaans. It causes me to rethink jokes and how I deliver them.
WHAT’ S THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT BEING A COMEDIAN?
That we are constantly telling jokes and ready to entertain them. Also, that they can take jabs at us and we must just laugh it off. We are normal everyday people and also just want to enjoy the braai without Frikkie telling everyone“ Okay guys Carl is now going to tell us some jokes while we eat”. IB
20 INBOUND SA / APRIL 2026