THE opening night of the Inner City Comedy Festival on Friday at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg belonged to Skhumba Hlophe.

The man from Tembisa wowed the crowd with his unorthodox yet honest and relevant set which made jokes ranging from the social media phenomenon Pulane, who gained infamy when her nude pictures leaked online, to politics.

The intimate festival with a sellout crowd featured Tats Nkonzo, Nina Hastie, Robby Collins and Kagiso Lediga. Mojak was the host.

"I think it was a beautiful combination. If one didn't cater for you, the other did," said actor and Gospel Classics host Tshepo Maseko after the show.

Musician Nakhana Toure was in awe when he walked out of the theatre. "It was great black talent. Skhumba was a standout, he was funny, abrasive, subversive and daring," he said.

The festival aims to take comedy to the heart of other South African cities, with dates yet to be confirmed.

tiwaneb@timesmedia.co.za