If we don't laugh, we will surely cry.
“Because South Africa is such a racially and culturally diverse country, with a lot of past suffering, there are so many divisions ... Humour is one way we are able to deal with it in a palatable way and as a way of releasing tension and forming identity, especially among previously disadvantaged communities," says Dr Jennalee Donian.
Yesterday, the humour expert and National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) postdoctoral fellow at Nelson Mandela University flew to Amsterdam to on Tuesday witness comedian Trevor Noah receive the prestigious Erasmus Prize.
The accolade, to be bestowed on Noah by Dutch king Willem-Alexander, recognises his exceptional contribution to humanities, social sciences and the arts. He is only the second comedian to be awarded the prize, the first being Charlie Chaplin in 1965.
Donian authored Taking Comedy Seriously: Stand-Up’s Dissident Potential in Mass Culture. It explores this version of comedy as a relevant sociological phenomenon in South Africa. She also contributed to a new documentary on Noah to be screened at the award ceremony, adding scholarly context to his significance as a stand-up comedian.
Erasmus Foundation director Dr Shanti van Dam said Donian’s work was a motivating factor in awarding the prize to Noah.
Given the country's problems, such as corruption, crime and load-shedding, Donian said it was easy to despair. However, the humour and satire delivered so meticulously by comedians like Noah helped people cope and heal.
“I think humour provides a very safe space to discuss these matters. At the same time, it gives us a way to vent any tension or built-up conflict we might experience or feel towards certain situations.
“In South Africa, if we didn't take things with laughter, then we would have to cry. Humour is a coping mechanism and a defence mechanism. It helps us deal with our daily stresses and release tension in a palpable manner. So as South Africans, what can we do but laugh together? I think it is very important for mental health and for inciting a sense of community among citizens,” she said.
Donian, who admits she was inspired by Noah to study humour, chose the subject for her PhD between 2015 and 2018. “There were not a lot of studies on humour at the time, especially not in South Africa.”
Noah has worldwide appeal due to his ability to bridge racial, linguistic and cultural boundaries. “That is his claim to fame, because of his racial hybridity and racial identity he's able to transcend different races and different cultures. Because he speaks so many languages, he is able to connect with people on racial, cultural and linguistic levels. That's what makes him absolutely outstanding,” she said.
“Out of all stand-up comedians, he swears the least and therefore appeals to a large, diverse audience. That’s what makes him so special.”
In her analysis of British, American and South African comedians, Donian said those in this country spoke far more openly about taboo subjects, particularly race.
Stand-up comedy “is a safe space for people to give their impressions and perspectives, and to take it with laughter”, she said.
However, there must be balance — laughter should not be used to avoid important questions.
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