Eugene Khoza
Eugene Khoza is a South African comedian and television presenter best known for co-hosting (with Fezile Makhanya and Lebo Motsoeli) the SABC1 sports magazine show Countdown 2010, from 2008-2010. Born and bred in Pretoria, Eugene has advanced in the world of local comedy and can now be found performing all over the country. His growing ethnic fan base has been accredited to his multilingual delivery and his understanding of cultures and being able to engage them all on a humorous level.
Eugene Khoza has been described as a new age comedian who breaks down boundaries, builds bridges, challenges prejudices and inverts stereotypes, but Eugene will probably tell you that it’s just him telling it like he sees it. Undaunted by working in his 2nd language, his performances are littered with vernacular references, vivid characterisations coupled with witty dialogue, leaving crowds whooping for more and rolling in the aisles.
From humble beginnings – winning the Ricoffy Comedy Challenge that made people sit up and notice, he has gone on to entertain audiences at shows such as the Pretoria Comedy Festival, the Just Because Comedy Festival, Blacks Only, Heavyweight Comedy Jam amongst others. He is now one of the star presenters of SABC 1’s “Build Up to 2010” and is building himself as a household name.
It is difficult to believe that Eugene Khoza has only been in the stand up comedy game for two years, given the maturity and confidence he conveys on stage irrespective of audience or venue. Born and bred in Pretoria, his has been a meteoric rise in the world of local comedy and Eugene can now be found performing all over South Africa.As his career blossoms, he is already establishing a strong and diversely ethnic fan base. That can be accredited not only to his multilingual delivery but his in-depth understanding of cultures and being able to engage them all on a humorous level. It makes him a favourite amongst audiences.
Those achievements and more great performances led to him being put on the line up for Arts Alive 2007 as well as the Blacks Only and the Heavyweight Comedy Jam. Not only did Eugene hold his own amongst some the country’s most celebrated comedians, he had found where he belongs.
He also went on to perform as the opening act for fellow comedian Loyiso Gola in his one man show and undoubtedly contributed in the show winning a SA Comedy Award. All this also led to him co-hosting a show on popular Jo’burg radio station, YFM, which achieved great ratings during that period. He has also done various interviews and appearances on television, making him a name that’s becoming synonymous with comedy nationwide.
Eugene’s talent has not gone unnoticed and he recently got picked to become one of the presenters of SABC 1’s “Build Up To 2010” which is sponsored by FNB. The show sees him travelling all over the country as well as the world – interacting with guests on the show and reporting on developments in connection with the World Cup. He was picked for his comedic outlook and sharp wit which adds a light hearted angle to the show and for these reasons, is making him a popular personality with audiences nationwide.