Zimbabwean comedian and America’s Got Talent (AGT) finalist Learnmore Jonasi recently shared a poignant chapter of his life during an interview on DJ Ollah 7’s YouTube podcast. Fresh from his remarkable journey to the AGT finals, Jonasi returned to Zimbabwe, where he headlined the 2024 Shoko Festival, captivating audiences with his unique brand of humor.
In a candid moment, Jonasi recounted the painful experience of his father’s rejection during his mother’s pregnancy. He explained how his grandparents stepped in when his father refused to acknowledge him. “When my mother was pregnant with me, my father wanted nothing to do with me in Mutare,” he recalled. “My grandparents approached him, but he laughed in their faces.”
Despite this heartbreak, Jonasi’s grandfather, Mr. Manyenyeka, took on the responsibility of raising him. “He said, ‘I will take care of this child. Muzukuru wangu uyu, mwana wangu. He will eat what I eat and sleep where I sleep.’ I am incredibly grateful for that,” Jonasi shared. He has since distanced himself from his father’s family, adopting his grandfather’s surname, Mwanyenyeka, as a tribute to the man who nurtured him.
Reflecting on his childhood, Jonasi noted that he has forgiven his father for his absence, mentioning that he only saw him once while growing up. The comedian attributes much of his success to his grandfather’s influence. “If I weren’t raised by my grandfather, I wouldn’t be a comedian today. Everything happens for a reason,” he stated.
Growing up in Chimanimani, Jonasi discovered his passion for comedy through his grandfather, who loved watching comedy shows. “He would laugh, and I thought, ‘I want that. I want to give people the same joy my grandfather experiences.’ That’s how I started mimicking what I saw,” he explained. Jonasi’s journey from rejection to resilience is a testament to the power of love and support, illustrating how even in the face of adversity, laughter can be a powerful healer.
Un other news – Opposition activist Chibaya returned to jail as bail hearing delayed
Amos Chibaya, an activist with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), faces another night in custody following his arrest on Monday for allegedly inciting public violence. His bail hearing has been postponed to Thursday. Chibaya appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi but was not asked to enter a plea. The state’s case alleges that Chibaya participated in a demonstration outside the Harare Magistrate Court in June, advocating for the release of 77 party activists who had been denied bail alongside their interim leader, Jameson Timba.
During the protest, it is claimed that Chibaya convened a meeting at the court’s entrance, where fellow CCC activists Agency Gumbo and Ostallos Gift Siziba were among the speakers. Read More
