Daily Show host Trevor Noah is giving the country’s brightest up and coming comedians a platform to strut their stuff in 2018. On the 4th and 5th of April 13 performers got the opportunity to share the stage with South Africa’s biggest comedic export in a sold out show at Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg. The line-up for the Nation Wild show was announced on Noah’s official Facebook page on Sunday the 1st of April which surprised a few of his fans, some of them thinking that he may have been playing an April Fool’s joke.

“Trevor, it’s the 1st of April. We are not trusting anything or anyone, please post this again tomorrow so we know you mean business”

“I would like to believe you but it is kinda difficult. How about you send me your location Trevor?”

“I support those that are urging you to post this tomorrow, so that we know it’s not an April Fool’s Joke.”

No jokes, the shows turned out to be a resounding success, with all thirteen performers impressing the packed out theatre. The acts, who are from all over South Africa, were hand selected for their talent, hard work, and unique perspective that they bring to the local comedy scene. Bongani Dube, Eric Jansen, Gavin Kelly, Gilli Apter, Keenan Cerff, Lindy Johnson, Mbu Msongelwa, Mo Mothebe, Noko Moswete, Kraai du Toit, Phil De Lange, Tsitsi Chiumya and Prins were all on the line-up over the two days.

Trevor Noah reminded the audience why he became South Africa’s most successful comedian by doing a performance before he introduced the first act. Noah paid it forward with the show that was recorded and will be broadcast on Mnet in 2018 to give the thirteen acts a chance to show South Africa what they’re made of.