This is the biography of Learnmore Jonasi, a Zimbabwean stand-up comedian, actor and MC who is known for his observational comedy, surreal humor and village jokes.
Learnmore Jonasi Early Life and Education
Learnmore Jonasi was born on 22 August 1993 as Learnmore Mwenyeyeka at Dangamvura Hospital in Mutare, Manicaland, Zimbabwe. He never met his father. His mother, Memory Mwanyenyeka, is a Kindergarten teacher in South Africa. Learnmore was raised by his grandparents, Partson Mwanyenyeka and Lillian Mwanyenyeka in Chimanimani.
He attended Chimanimani Primary School from Grade 1 to 2, then moved to Mutare where he continued his education at Sheni Primary School from Grade 3 to Grade 7. He the joined Chimanimani High School and completed his O level in 2010.
Learnmore Jonasi Comedy Career
After finishing his O level in 2010, he went to Harare to start his comedic journey but he did not have any relatives there where he could stay. In 2011 he traveled to Bulawayo to find a comedy club but found none. In 2012 he left for Harare where he performed for the first time on 9 October 2012 at the Simuka Comedy Night hosted at Book café.
He was booed by the audience. For almost two years, he couldn’t make people laugh at the open mic yet he kept coming back every Monday to perform.
In 2014, Learnmore then went back to Bulawayo, where a new comedy club called Umahlekisa had been formed. He was helped by the founder, Ntando Van Moyo with stage time and honing skills to be a better comedian. He became affectionately known as “The Village Boy from Chimanimani” because of his village jokes.
In October 2014, he began his first international tour in South Africa at The Box Comedy Club hosted at Pop Art Theatre Johannesburg. The fol he performed his first one man show titled The Longest Yard at Alliance Francaise Harare.
27 February 2016 was the first time he opened for Barry Hilton. In the same year, he was invited to perform at the African Comedy Festival at the Hippodrum Auditorium in Golders Green in the United Kingdom.
While in the United Kingdom, he did a course with Laughing Horse to improve on his skills.
Learnmore Jonasi Biography [Image: Facebook]
In February 2020, Learnmore won the National Arts Merit Awards as the Outstanding Comedian of the Year and the Savanna Comic Choice Awards as the Pan African Comic of the Year.
The following month, he was one of the finalists for Steve Harvey’s Stand Up Spotlight competition which is an American talent show that showcases aspiring comedians from around the world.
In April 2020, he won Steve Harvey’s Stand Up Spotlight competition and received a cash prize of US$10k and a chance to perform at The Comedy Cellar in New York City. The following month, he performed at The Comedy Cellar along with other comedians such as Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.
In June 2020, Learnmore performed at Carnegie Hall as part of The New York Comedy Festival. He also performed at Glastonbury Festival as part of The Other Stage lineup along with other comedians such as James Acaster and Sarah Millican.
In August 2020, he performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of The Pleasance Courtyard lineup along with other comedians such as Nish Kumar and Katherine Ryan.
Learnmore Jonasi received a scholarship from the Steel City Arts Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2022, which supports international artists and comedians.
He has been touring all over the US since 2022, performing at various venues and festivals. He also has some opportunities to collaborate with other famous comedians and TV shows in the US.
Learnmore Jonasi performed at the prestigious Apollo Theatre in New York City on April 13, 2023 as part of the Africa Now! Festival. He was one of the four African comedians who showcased their talents at the Apollo Comedy Club, along with Karmen Naidoo, Quadir Yussuf and Alfred Kainga.
Jearnmore Jonasi Personal Life
Learnmore Jonasi Biography [Image: Facebook]
Jonasi is currently single and focused on his career as a comedian. He has not revealed any details about his past relationships or any plans to settle down with someone. He is very close to his family and often visits them in Zimbabwe or South Africa.
Learnmore is now based in the United States and enjoys spending time with his friends and fellow comedians.
References
- Learnmore Jonasi
- Zim’s stand-up comedians set for legendary Apollo Comedy Night shows – ZimLive
- Flagship City Comedy Fest Sets Sail – Erie Reader
