THE RIB CRACKER When his voice disappeared from radio almost two years ago many people were left wondering what funny man Michael Dignash’s next move would be. His name was at some point linked to other radio stations and political parties, but all these turned out to be baseless rumours as Dignash resurfaced with a self titled television show Dignash Live Comedy Show which airs on eBotswana. Michael ‘Dignash’ Morapedi

FROM RADIO TO TELEVISION DIGGY’S NEW HOME

PROVIDING THE BEST MEDICINE: DIGNASH

When his voice disappeared from radio almost two years ago many people were left wondering what funny man Michael Dignash’s next move would be. His name was at some point linked to other radio stations and political parties,  but all these turned out to be baseless rumours as Dignash resurfaced with a self titled television show Dignash Live Comedy Show which airs on eBotswana. He revealed to Voice reporter Kabelo Dipholo that his was a calculated and deliberate move. To prove beyond reasonable doubt that he is the master of his trade, he ambushed this reporter with his own interview for his television show. So it was lights, camera, action and questions as Dipholo and Dignash fired questions at each other.
Cap: Providing the best medicine- Dignash
Well Dignash I believe a lot of people know who you are, but I will ask you to just introduce yourself in a few words.
Dignash is the original Don-dada. What you see is what you get. I’m happy that I’m doing this interview for the second time, it shows growth. The first time I did this interview I believe you were not yet born.
For as long as I can remember you have always been a radio personality. You have worked in almost all the radio stations in the country. Recently you launched your own television show on eBotswana. Please shed more light on this transition.
God’ it is such an exciting transition. I’m renowned for radio and I’m not afraid to say I’m the embodiment of the industry. But television is something that I have always wanted to do. It is all about re-strategising and trying out new channels.
Q. What is your new show Dignash live on eBotswana all about?
I’m a comedian through and through and the show is about comedy.  I have not diverted far off from what I used to do on radio; in fact I can say I have taken my radio show and put it in virtual form. The show is also about bringing people closer to the public through interviews.
Q. How different is television from radio?
My man television is tasking. Everything has to be spot on. It is too demanding and needs a lot of time. You can take two days to shoot a 30 minutes episode. On radio interaction with people is instant, they call you on the show and you can instantly gauge yourself through the response you receive from the public. With television you have to wait for weeks before you can know what the public think about your show.
Q. There was a time during your life when your private life was under scrutiny. Reports of financial woes in the media were everywhere. How did you manage to rebound from all that?
Look here I believe for as long as I’m alive there will be interest on my life. I was in fact inspired by the negativity that was going on. What most people do not know is that when they were
speculating about my life I was busy trying to get this show started. My abrupt departure from radio was not forced, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do; it took long to have the show on air because of a few logistics.

Q. Your television show just like on radio has animated characters. What inspires these characters?
There are about seven characters who have been Dignash’s companions for a very long time. They have become well known and now that they are on TV, it makes it even more exciting. Characters are influenced by real life issues. We discuss anything from politics to the economy.
Q. What is the future of Dignash live?
We have big plans for the show. The second season will be coming. This is the most syndicated show in the continent. We want to do it at a regional level and then we intend to go continental.
Q. Most of the world’s most comedians started doing stand up comedy and went on to shoot sitcoms. Don’t you have any plans to do likewise?
That is long overdue. In the next season of Dignash we will go on a comedy talent search to be able to eventually shoot our own sitcom. It is a pity that with so much talent we do not have a single sitcom in the country. Comedy is a specialised art and I’m hoping to see other comedians come on board.
Q. How do you define comedy?
Comedy is telling stories. You tell stories influenced by the environment you are living in. it is making real life stories funny.

Q. What are the challenges that come with shooting a television show?
Television is a very expensive medium sometimes quality is compromised due to luck of funds. At times when I look at the kind of TV commercials we have here I wonder why they are being beamed on television. But then again I have to understand that it can cost up to P5 million to shoot a television commercial and we don’t have that kind of budget.

Q. Are you lost to radio forever?
Well I cannot really say, but at the moment television is my new found home. I have to master the skill of television and explore further.
Q. Who inspires Dignash?
I get inspiration from the likes of Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey and Seinfeld. In fact Steve Harvey is my favourite comedian. All these guys started off as stand up comedians before they shot sitcoms; that is exactly the same route I intend to take.
Q. Private media has been criticised by a section of the society for being unethical and anti-government. What is your take on that?
It is only human; regardless of who you are one has to succumb to criticism at one point. If you right a good story about say the ruling party, there would be no complaints but if you right a bad story about them they will immediately respond so does opposition parties and individuals. It is human nature but the media has to continue fulfilling its mandate.
FACT FILE
FULL NAMES: Michael ‘Dignash’ Morapedi
PLACE OF BIRTH: Francistown
DATE OF BIRTH: 17 September 1971
OCCUPATION: Comedian
MARITAL STATUS: Single with two daughters (They are the reason I do what I do)