Lesego Tlhabi
Lesego Tlhabi (born 13 December 1988) is a South African writer and comedian best known for creating the character Coconut Kelz.[1]
Early life
Tlhabi's parents, Brian Tlhabi and Penny Osiris, were both doctors.
Coconut Kelz
She was writing for television and performing as a DJ (as Dame the DJ) when she started
The act took off on the internet and she was noticed by conventional broadcasters: in 2018 Coconut Kelz started appearing in a regular slot on
Towards the end of 2019, Tlhabi published a satirical book, Coconut Kelz's Guide to Surviving This Shithole. Reviewer Nkosazana Dambuza wrote that, while the book may not "seem that deep", Kelz's character is a "reminder that the daily struggle of being black is far from over."[11]
Works
- Coconut Kelz's Guide to Surviving This Shithole. Jonathan Ball Publishers. 2019. ISBN 9781868429882.
References
- ^ Nkanjeni, Unathi (13 December 2019). "Redi Tlhabi to stepdaughter Coconut Keltz: 'You have been nothing but love to me'". Sunday Times. South Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Mnganga, Tholakele (1 February 2019). "'It's like, so much fun' – Lesego Tlhabi on her vlogging sensation Coconut Kelz". DRUM. Channel 24. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Amato, Carlos (1 September 2018). "Coconut Kelz is not 'whiteface' comedy, says joker Lesego Tlhabi". Sunday Times. South Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Wedding bells for Redi Direko". Independent Online. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b Nkanjeni, Unathi (1 July 2019). "Redi Tlhabi denies she's the reason step-daughter Lesego 'Coconut Kelz' is a success". Sunday Times. South Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d Hlalethwa, Zaza (1 March 2018). "The millennial satirist: Lesego Tlhabi". Mail & Guardian. South Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b Senne, Busang (February 2018). "YouTube Vlogger Coconut Kelz is 'Every White Person's BFF'". Cosmopolitan. South Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b Samanga, Rufaro (10 May 2019). "Lesego Tlhabi is Coconut Kelz: "We need to keep the Blacks away from our suburbs."". Okay Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ Thamm, Marianne (8 May 2019). "Licence to offend: Coconut Kelz, the best thing to happen to SA comedy in a long while – are you ready?". The Daily Maverick. South Africa. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Coconut Kelz Election Special Parkhurst" (Press release). BET Africa. 30 April 2019.
- ^ Dambuza, Nkosazana (18 March 2020). "Coconut Kelz's Guide to Surviving This Sh*thole: Book Review". YFM. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
External links
- Lesego Tlhabi's channel on YouTube
- Coconut Kelz on Twitter