It seems as if stand-up comedy has really caught on in South Africa.

There have been great nights at cafes and restaurants filled with laughter as the funny guys do their thing. One of them is Loyiso Gola, pictured.

Gola is now putting on a one-man show titled Loyiso for President at the Market Theatre.

If anybody assumes that Gola might be thinking of running for office, he sets them straight.

"Most people think I might want to be the president, but not really.

"I just thought that this would be a cool title because I have a lot of political material," Gola said.

Many will remember him from the hilarious Pure Monate Show, which was on TV a few years ago. On the show with him were David Kau, Kagiso Lediga and Tshepo Spykos Mogale.

"When I was in high school I wasn't really funny.

"I was a loudmouth. I became interested in the trade when Mark Lottering came to our school. That's when I decided, hey, I can do this too," he said.

The 23- year-old was born in Gugulethu and has been in Joburg for four years. He has followed stand-up comedy for years.

"I don't look up to any comedian. I'm too tall," he jokes.

The show runs until February 4. Tickets are available at Computicket.