Background & Beginnings
I would like to believe everyone is funny, including myself (this isn’t about me, but just ask my friends). However, I truly think Axarob is just in a league of his own. Born in Otjiwarongo and raised in Tsumeb, Axarob says he always had a natural inclination for humour, often using witty remarks to escape punishment at home and school. While he was always a practical joker, he argues that the unwavering support from his friends is what pushed him into stand-up comedy and helped him become the comic sensation he is today.
Aloys ‘Axarob’ Murorua wasn’t always aware that comedy would be his career path. His comedy journey officially started in high school during a talent show, where he playfully poked fun at the school’s rugby team and overall culture. The reception was very encouraging, but his first paid gig only came later at Comedy Hour at Vinyls.
When he thinks about his first time on a stage at Comedy Hour, Axarob says that was a defining moment for him and his comedy career. This was because his friends came out in numbers to support him. Although he admits he wasn’t particularly funny then, their laughter and encouragement helped him gain confidence on stage, with some laughing even when the jokes weren’t funny.
‘My comedy is very much my lived experiences. From my life to stuff I see and read or just banter with the brasse.’ Over time, he has learned to navigate the fine line of storytelling by asking himself, “Is this my story to tell?” This self-awareness was a hard-earned lesson after facing some repercussions for sharing certain jokes early in his career.
The Namibian Comedy Scene & Growth
Namibian stand-up comedy is currently experiencing a resurgence, largely influenced by the legacy of Free Your Mind, a platform that set the foundation for many upcoming comedians. Today, comics are securing roles in ad campaigns, films and corporate gigs, especially towards the end of the year when they are booked just as frequently as DJs.
However, Axarob still believes the local scene has gaps. With only two major comedy clubs—The Howlers by Windhoek Comedy Club and Comedy Hour (now Savanna Comedy Hour)—there are limited spaces for new comedians to refine their craft. While pop-up shows and solo specials occur throughout the year, there is no dedicated amateur night where aspiring comics can learn the intricacies of stand-up. He believes this would create an even bigger platform for upcoming comedians to practice their craft.
One of the biggest challenges remains the lack of performance opportunities across Namibia. Comedy is a niche industry, and performing in Windhoek often means facing the same audience at multiple events. Fortunately, there are now regular shows in Rundu, led by Dennis Kaunda, which allow city-based comedians to expand their reach and build new fan bases, giving comedians a space to experience a new set audience.
Axarob says comedians often have to evolve their comedy style as Namibian audiences have also evolved, developing a preference for different comedy styles, whether caricature, impressions, or dark humour. As a result, comedy show lineups now cater to diverse tastes, attracting a range of audience members depending on the featured comedians.
Starting Comedy Hour & Its Impact
Asked about Comedy Hour, he says it was born from a casual conversation between Aloys and his co-founder, Vernon, over a chip roll at the NUST kiosk. Having noticed Axarob’s humour on Twitter, Vernon suggested they start something serious. Initially, they just wanted a stage to perform on, with Vernon acting as Aloys’ manager. However, coming out of the COVID-19 lockdown, most venues hesitated to host events.
As luck may have it, Vinyls was among the few receptive venues. Since then, Comedy Hour has become a staple in Windhoek’s entertainment scene, running consistently every month for the past 4 years.
The goal of Comedy Hour is to elevate Namibian stand-up by setting professional standards, expanding performances beyond the capital city, and eventually breaking into the continental and global stage. Axarob also hopes to collaborate with international comedians and clubs to provide more opportunities for Namibian comics.
The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with multiple sold-out shows and growing sponsorships. This support has allowed them to fairly compensate performers and experiment with formats like roasts and pop-up collaborations, which are favourites among the Namibian audience.
Although Comedy Hour does not have formal mentorship programmes, a strong sense of community exists among the comedians who have performed on its stage. Newcomers are given opportunities as opening acts, gradually gaining confidence and honing their craft.
Aside from logistical challenges—like performers running late or vendors missing deadlines—the biggest hurdle remains convincing the general public to take comedy seriously as a legitimate art form.
The Business & Future of Comedy
While the current pay rates for comedians are fair, Axarob believes they can be improved. This is because stand-up comics have the potential to work in various fields, including scriptwriting, advertising, brand ambassadorship, voice-overs, MC-ing and broadcasting. However, in Namibia, opportunities in these areas are limited, and most comedians rely solely on stage performances for their income. Unlike DJs, who get frequent bookings, comedians have fewer gigs due to the limited number of comedy clubs. Exposure alone does not pay the bills, so it’s important to ensure unpaid gigs provide leverage for future opportunities.
Over the years, we have seen comics doing skits on social media and people have loved it. This is opposed to the traditional way of doing comedy, on a stage, with an opportunity to actually make the audience laugh and or get booed. Although a lot of people are not big fans of it, one may argue that social media has become an invaluable tool for comedians, allowing them to showcase their talent beyond borders. Posting performance clips online can attract an international fanbase, leading to potential gigs outside Namibia. However, once a joke is uploaded online, it cannot be reused in live performances with the same impact. For this reason, Axarob advises comedians to only post jokes they don’t plan on using again.
Namibian comedy is undoubtedly on the rise, with comedians like ‘Wilbard The Comedian’ already breaking international ground in Zambia. Wilbard’s success is a testament to the power of social media, having built a substantial following on TikTok. Many Namibian comedians are only now beginning to take social media seriously, proving that digital platforms can be game changers for the industry.
While Axarob has yet to perform outside Namibia, 2025 is the year he makes his international debut. He aspires to perform in South Africa and Botswana. His long-term goal is to tour Namibia and the world, performing at various comedy clubs and festivals.
How to Support Namibian Comedy
Supporting Namibian comedy is simple: attend shows, engage with content online and spread the word.
Comedy Hour, in collaboration with Savanna Premium Cider, now runs at Sweet Side of Things every first Thursday of the month. You can follow Axarob on social media @axarob_ and watch his full stand-up performances on YouTube (@aloysmurorua). For updates on Comedy Hour, follow @comedyhour.na on Instagram and @comedyhourstage on X (formerly Twitter).
If Axarob could roast anyone, it would be the entire Namibian Cabinet—they have certainly given comedians plenty of material over the years!
His next performance will be on 29 March, when he will host Zita: The Ungovernable! at Warehouse Theatre. Tickets are available on Webtickets. For those looking to catch him sooner, he will run the show at Savanna Comedy Hour on 6 March 2025.
With his sharp wit and growing audience, Aloys Murorua is proving that stand-up comedy in Namibia is not just alive but thriving. As the industry continues to evolve, he remains committed to ensuring that Namibian comedy reaches new heights—one joke at a time.
Great article.
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👏👏👏👏A motivation to keep going.
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