This festive season, we turn our spotlight on Goliath and Goliath (G&G) – South Africa’s comedic powerhouse. They may not all be blood-related but, together, these guys are changing the comedy landscape with their unique blend of humour, heart and hustle
Not everyone with the gift of humour has the ability to make people laugh until their stomach hurts. Being able to bring so much joy and comedic relief is truly a superpower like no other.
Meet the Goliaths: Jason, his sister Kate and their cousin Nicholas share more than just a last name – they share a love for laughter and uplifting content. Donovan, despite his last name, isn’t related by blood but he’s been a vital part of the Goliath comedy empire since they all became one unit in 2011. Today, they make up G&G, a family business like no other, bonded by dynamic chemistry and a fresh take on comedy that makes them stand out in the South African entertainment scene.
More than just a name
Growing up in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, Jason, Kate and Nicholas spent most of their time in a close-knit environment. Family was always important to them.
“I sometimes think the reason we spent so much time together was to laugh,” Nicholas says. “Everybody I grew up with was funny… finding joy in making people laugh is something I think we’ve always just had in us.”
Jason and Nicholas started doing stand-up comedy on 3 July 2011 at The Comedy Underground in Melville. A week later, they met Donovan (from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape), who was new in the comedy industry. Everything began to align.
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Kate initially wanted to pursue journalism as a career. However, her mom advised her to find a different dream that would be more fulfilling than “covering terrible news all the time and being broke”, Kate recalls. After studying communications, she entered the corporate world, taking on a job in corporate communications and public relations that would last for three years. Then, when the Goliaths became more successful, she became the managing director of G&G – a title she’s held for 13 years – overseeing content production for various clients and keeping things organised when it comes to the guys and all their individual and group projects.
“Covid really changed a lot of things in terms of ‘us’ and what we do within the comedy world, and within the entertainment industry as a whole. In a way, it helped us break into new territories – which I think it did for a lot of people – but it really solidified where we wanted to go with our creativity,” she said on a recent episode of ‘The Almost Perfect Podcast’.
Family makes everything better
Now, each member of G&G is known for different talents. Jason has been happily married to his wife, Sian, for five years, and is the ‘big brother’ of the group. He is a well-known stand-up comedian whose most recent success was the one-man Showmax special Manstruation: Surviving a Wife. He’s also worked as an MC, facilitator, actor, a singer on The Masked Singer SA Season 1, and has hosted TV shows Dating #NoFilter and Celebrity Game Night SA.
Jason started out working in insurance, sales and marketing, but his exuberant demeanour and contagious enthusiasm meant he was destined for more. He followed his passion and soon became one of the most sought-after comedians in South Africa.
“My motivation for doing Manstruation has been the thank-yous after the shows – and not forgetting the smiles on audiences’ faces… Every laugh feeds me more. Whether it’s the security guy at the boom gate, a formal environment or the person behind me in the supermarket queue, a laugh is a great plaster for my soul,” says Jason. “I curate my stories so that they have relatable messaging and messages that, in some way, shape or form will impact someone.”
Nicholas, the youngest of the group, is husband to Yasaar and a loving father. Known for his jokes and pranks, he’s dabbled in acting and stand-up comedy, and worked as a voiceover artist. He is also a sought-after MC at conferences for big brands, like Vodacom, FNB, Liberty and Nissan.
And then there’s Donovan, whose wife Davina recently gave birth to their second child. He’s an MC, creative director, producer, content creator and – according to the rest of the group – arguably the most photogenic of the bunch! He has also focused on being more actively involved as a designer and collaborative force to change the narrative of advertising and creativity in SA.
Despite this long list of achievements, he says the title he’s proudest of is being a dad. “It’s given me a stronger sense of purpose and something real to work towards. Being in the industry we’re in, you’re constantly out and juggling so many things. I’ve learned to say ‘no’ a lot more because it is no longer about me, it’s about us,” he says. “It’s something that can’t be explained until you have your own kid. It changes your perspective completely.”
Whether it’s the security guy at the boom gate, a formal environment or the person behind me in the supermarket queue, A LAUGH IS A GREAT PLASTER FOR MY SOUL
Building their brand
G&G’s progress and ambition is limitless, but they always keep the well-being of South Africa’s comedy scene in mind.
Their biggest venture to date? Launching The Goliath Comedy Club at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, in 2016. With this club, they revived the local comedy scene, offering a platform for both established comedians and up-and-coming names. It quickly became
a go-to spot for comedy lovers, drawing in crowds who craved live entertainment with a homegrown touch.
“The club was the result of a culmination of many small gigs we had put together over the years. We had quite a bit of skin in the game and had built up enough trust for decision-makers at Melrose Arch to offer the space up to us,” says Donovan.
“It ran for three years and was easily the best comedy club on the continent at the time,” Nicholas says. “But we don’t see comedy as competition – we create markets for one another,” Jason adds.
The success of The Goliath Comedy Club gave rise to a more intimate comedy venue in Braamfontein, in the basement of the Bannister Hotel (no longer operational). Here, G&G offered a more up-close-and- personal experience, allowing audiences to feel like they’re part of the family.
Happiness and joy
G&G aren’t just here for the laughs; they’re also using their platform for a cause close to their hearts. As high-level influencers for the UN Refugee Agency’s LuQuLuQu campaign, they’re on a mission to bring awareness to forcibly displaced families and raise funds to help them rebuild their lives. Whether through live shows, campaigns or personal outreach, they are committed to making a difference.
As part of their daily mission to spread positivity, they recently launched ‘The Happiness Economy’ podcast and comedy tour. This project is all about getting people to self-reflect and be completely honest with themselves. As Jason says, it’s “where we try to unpack, figure out, investigate, interrogate – I think holistically understand – ‘what is happiness even?’”
Recent podcast guests include the likes of menstruation activist Candice Chirwa, Dr Fezile Mkhize, actress Farieda Metsileng and comedy icon David Kau. Nicholas adds: “It is a project we’ve been working on to try and get people to think more about their own happiness and where it truly lies. It’s something that we hope will create a community of positivity, where stories of encouragement and joy are shared and celebrated.”
Their podcast explores this concept further, featuring guests from all walks of life who discuss how they navigate their own happiness, while the tour brings those ideas to the stage in typical Goliath fashion – through gut-busting humour that’s relatable, and heartfelt moments.
As the end of the year draws near, G&G are reflecting on the triumphs and challenges with their families, just like the rest of us. “By the time this comes out I would have had a second baby, so no ‘crazy’ holiday,” Donovan laughs. “I’ll be home over the festive season with my family and enjoying my little one.”
“Our message to everyone this holiday season may sound clichéd, but that’s because it’s true. Be safe, be responsible and always remember this is a time to fully appreciate friends and family before the chaos of the new year kicks in,” the group expresses.
From their comedy club to their social impact work, humour and generosity are at the heart of everything the Goliaths do. So, whether you’re having a laugh at one of their shows or tuning in to the podcast on YouTube or Spotify, G&G invite you to embrace the season with an open, joyful heart.
Finding joy in making people laugh is something I think we’ve always just had in us
Fun facts
- At the Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards, Goliath and Goliath have won ‘Best Friends of Comedy’ each of the three times the award has been handed out.
- What brings them joy? Laughter, providing for those in need, and simple, priceless moments with friends and family around a braai.
- When asked who the funniest is (which is a common question), they agree that the funniest is actually their manager, Kate.
- Their pet peeve collectively: Rudeness, and when people talk about or treat their loved ones poorly.
- One word that describes them all: Ambitious.
Keep up with G&G
Instagram: @goliathandgoliath
Facebook: Goliath and Goliath
TikTok: @nicholasgoliath / @donovangoliath / @jasongoliath
Words by Chandré Emma Kippie
Illustration: Getty/Gallo Images
