The biggest comedy event in Botswana is back! Major Moves Comedy presents the 11th Annual Heavyweights International Comedy Festival (HICOFEST), set to deliver an unforgettable night of laughter on Thursday, 20th November 2025 at Protea by Marriott Gaborone Masa Square.
Now in its eleventh year, HICOFEST has become a cornerstone of Botswana’s entertainment calendar and a major platform for celebrating the very best in African comedy. This year’s edition promises to be bigger, funnier, and fresher, featuring a new international lineup of heavyweight comedians from Botswana,China, Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Headlining this year’s festival are two continental comedy powerhouses — Thapelo Malani from Botswana and Dr Hilary Okello from Uganda — both bringing their sharp wit, infectious energy, and world-class humour to the Gaborone stage.
A Reunion of African Comedy Giants
The festival marks a warm reunion between Thapelo Malani and Dr Hilary Okello, after their electric collaboration at The Marabou Laugh Fest in Kampala, Uganda, this past September. Dr Hilary hosted Thapelo at the prestigious event, where the pair’s dynamic chemistry drew rave reviews from audiences and media alike.
Now, Botswana returns the favour by welcoming Dr Hilary to the HICOFEST stage — a celebrated Ugandan comedian known for his intelligent humour, thought-provoking satire, and effortless crowd engagement. Dr Hilary has become one of East Africa’s most respected performers, regularly headlining major shows including Nairobi International Comedy Festival (Kenya), Kigali International Comedy Festival (Rwanda) and Africa Laughs(Uganda), and representing Uganda’s humour scene on international platforms.
Thapelo Malani, Botswana’s fast-rising comedy export and one of the most inspiring figures in African entertainment, continues to break boundaries. Despite being visually impaired, Thapelo has performed across Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, embodying the spirit of resilience and laughter that HICOFEST stands for.
Laughter Without Borders
Speaking ahead of the festival, Major Moves Comedy Events Coordinator, Gaolathe Kediemetse, highlighted the event’s growing global reach: “HICOFEST is no longer just an African celebration — it’s a global one. Over the years, we’ve hosted comedians from the United States, the United Kingdom, Finland,and other parts of Europe, and this year we’re thrilled to welcome a comedian from China to the lineup. Comedy is a universal language, and through HICOFEST we continue to prove that laughter knows no borders.”
The 2025 edition of HICOFEST will feature diverse comedic voices, blending African storytelling, Asian wit, and global humor styles — promising audiences a truly international experience filled with laughter, learning, and cross-cultural exchange. The event includes Aiden Ho from China, Dr Shakes from Eswatini, Tinotenda Lebohang from Zimbabwe, Cleyton Msosa from Tanzania, Sir Matee from Lesotho, fan favorite Smowkey Nyembe from South Africa, with Botswana’s Augustus Philemon, Phenyo The Master, Boldwin Bals, OD Brooks and Queen of Comedy Lebo English. In September this year, Dr Shakes hosted Boldwin Bals in Eswatini at Eswatini International Comedy Festival in Mbabane.
The venue sponsor for the 11th Annual HICOFEST is Protea By Marriott Gaborone Masa Square which is in the heart of the cityin the CBD. “We have a travel and fashion sponsor this time around which is Wusa Sports Wear, and we are thankful for the broadcast sponsor UB Radio. We promise a truly enjoyable,relaxing and funny event with this production. We have a fresh new lineup, fresh new headliners and people must come and experience the best and ultimate entertainment from beginning to the end,” says events coordinator Kediemetse. Tickets for thecomedy festival are available at Webtickets & Spar outlets priced from P200 single and P300 double. The show starts at 8pm.
