Most comedians will tell you that they'd love to have enough time on the microphone under the spotlight, but Chris Mapane is a different kind of funny man.

He is more interested in giving young and unknown comedians a platform and growing comedy in SA.

"People always ask why I never do a one-man show, but I'm not really interested in that. I doubt I'll ever do one," he says.

The 30-year-old from the little known town of Viljoenskroon in the Free State says every time he's booked for a show, he asks the organisers to book another room for a young comedian he brought with.

"I then give the young comic 15 minutes on stage and then pay him myself," he says.

"That's how comedy grows. You need the young and fresh guys to come into the industry."

Mapane left the Free State after completing matric to study engineering in Johannesburg.

The creators of So You Think You're Funny talent search roped him in in 2009 to mentor wannabes on the show.

One of his protégés is the now celebrated Mpho "Popps" Modikoane who will be one of the acts next Tuesday when Mapane hosts the Anti-Xenophobia comedy show at Montecasino.

"Musicians did a song that spoke against this (xenophobia) and I'm also using my language, which is comedy, to spread the message," he says.

The show has a mixture of acts, from renowned comedian Kagiso Lediga to newbies like Eureka Nkese and Lihle Lindz Msimang. He talks warmly of his acts. "I've always had respect for Kagiso - I think having him there is a treat. Lihle is a great young female comedian."

Tol A$$ Mo is also on the line-up and is set to perform his anti-xenophobia song.

tiwaneb@timesmedia.co.za