<p Meshantan Naidoo, a South African comedian, has opened up about his unexpected journey to fame. From working in construction to becoming a radio personality, Naidoo's story is one of perseverance and passion. His career in entertainment was entirely unplanned, and it all started with a spontaneous voice note sent during a busy Black Friday shopping trip in Centurion, which was shared widely and eventually aired on 5FM’s breakfast show with Roger Goode.
Naidoo’s online presence grew even further in 2017 when a humorous Facebook video of him attempting to chase pigeons out of his home went viral, gaining more than 20,000 views in under an hour. This exposure opened doors to stand-up comedy, and he started performing alongside notable comedians such as Neville Pillay, Muthu Murugan, and Marc Lottering. He also made a cameo appearance on the popular South African soap opera, ‘Uzalo’.
From Construction to Comedy
Although comedy helped establish his brand, Naidoo admits that radio has always been his greatest passion. His interest in radio started with listening to Sureshnie Rider on 5FM, and he became fascinated by how presenters could paint vivid pictures using only words. After years of persistence, Naidoo eventually secured a role as a weekday breakfast anchor on community radio, an experience he describes as deeply rewarding.
What I loved most was the listener engagement, he said. You can’t see faces or immediately gauge reactions, but when the studio WhatsApp line lights up seconds after asking a question, that instant connection is unmatched. Naidoo believes that his humour resonates because it is rooted in real South African experiences. Comedians have this unique ability to find humour in every situation, even the most depressing ones, he added.
Why SA Comedians Need to be Mindful
In South Africa, there’s no shortage of material. You can switch on the news or simply walk outside and find enough content to write an entire comedy special. However, Naidoo admits that modern audiences require comedians to be more mindful of their material. With cancel culture, we have to be more cognisant of what we put out, he said. Social media, particularly TikTok, has also played a major role in expanding Naidoo’s audience and career opportunities.
Here are some key takeaways from Naidoo’s journey to fame:
- Be open to new opportunities and experiences
- Find your passion and pursue it with persistence
- Be mindful of your audience and the content you create
