Nonto R: Comedy is just what the doctor ordered!

SOCIETY expects comedians to always make people laugh and not go through any form of stress.

But comedian Nonto Rubushe, who is popularly known as Nonto R, said comedians too do go through stress and experience personal problems.

Nonto R is well-known for incorporating Zulu culture into her comedy. This has led her to winning in the Savanna Comics' Choice Awards.

The 37-year-old woman from Durban said comedians help people face problems and take them through the healing process.

"We definitely do go through our personal stresses and that include things we talk about. Once you're accept the pain, you say, okay, this has happened to me and what can I learn from it," Nonto said.

She said comedians do talk about their past problems on stage.

"When you talk about your problems and people laugh, it means they've also been through something similar, but your take on the issue is interesting. That's how comedy works."

Nonto said comedy is an important part of life.

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"Research shows that you can fall pregnant after attending a comedy show, because there're juices produced in your body while you're there laughing.

"Comedy relieves stress. It's necessary and I sometimes call myself a doctor because what I do is of important. Literally, we're healing people," she said.

Nonto said some people don't understand what comedy can do in their lives.

"You only understand once you attend a show, then you will be like, 'I've been missing all along'. It's the most amazing thing to experience. For us, it's a blessing and a responsibility. It comes back to and heals me when I see people smile and laugh."