Meeting Jetu, the comedy lady

In recent months, social media platforms such as Tik-Tok, Facebook and YouTube have featured a new comedian named Jetu.

Her arrival on the scene was unexpected and surprising, especially considering her age.

But courtesy of video clips made and shared by her grandchildren, the 71-year-old Jetu has turned out to be an overnight sensation.

The resident of Bangwe Township in Blantyre City has featured in a number of comic video clips, some alongside the celebrity couple of musician Zeze Kingston and his partner Dorothy Shonga, which have generated considerable interest.

Jetu, real name Christina Malaya, told The Nation in an interview that her association with drama and comedy dates back to her days as a youth. She said her passion in comedy got a fresh mojo when her husband died in 2019.

“I became lonely and secluded. Then I moved to Blantyre where I stay with my grandchildren. I saw them creating funny videos and I thought I could find a safe space within. It has helped me to relieve stress and anxiety that I had to deal with for a long time,” she said.

But where did the name Jetu come from?

She said her brother gave her the moniker when she was young because she used to beat up her peers whenever they crossed her path.

Said Jetu: “I was a no nonsense girl. When someone crossed my path, I did not hesitate to beat them up. Noticing that, my brother gave me the name Jetu and it has been with me ever since.”

She said she is surprised with the response that her comic clips have received. She said her dream is to travel outside Malawi to showcase her comic skills at a bigger stage.

Her grandchild Blessings Kazembe, alias Emu Dee, who is behind the production of the videos, said they are proud that they are able to generate money from the clips which is also benefitting their grandmother.

He said they make K70 000 a week from the various productions requested by different people.

“In our household, we are all males and when she came, it was difficult to interact with her. We tried to loosen the mood by involving her in everything that we were doing whether childish or not. Now we take her as our friend,” he said.