POPULAR Zambian comedian Aubrey Luo popularly known as Shi Mumbi is pushing comedians to refuse underpaid work, demanding fair pay for their skills.
He believes that this will raise the industry standards and make sure comedians get the money they deserve.
Appearing on Kenny T One on One podcast, Luo revealed how he turned down a chance to perform with Ugandan comedian Anne Kansiime after he was offered K5,000 while Kansiime was offered US$2,000.
The comedian stated that he felt underpaid compared to Kansiime, prompting him to stand up for himself and show that he would not accept unfair deals.
“They offered to pay me K5,000 while paying another US$2,000. This was unfair, especially when it comes to comparing local stage impact to that of foreign acts,” he said.
He shared that he once rejected a Denmark gig that paid poorly, only K40,000 for a month, compared to his usual K20,000 per weekend that he makes from gigs.
Luo said that this felt disrespectful, as he’s well-known among Zambians abroad.
Shi Mumbi added that the treatment is different when local acts go outside the country as they are usually paid fairly and treated with dignity.
He encouraged his fellow comedians to recognise their value and push back against organisers who offer unfair compensation, stating that this would create a more equitable environment for local comedians and artistes.
Shi Mumbi further emphasised the importance of organisers valuing and respecting local talent, believing that they should recognise the contributions and worth of Zambian comedians.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba September 6, 2025
