Laughing through it all with Schalk Bezuidenhout

Venecia Valentine

Few South African comedians blend heart, humour, and honesty as naturally as Schalk Bezuidenhout. Known for his signature moustache, bold jerseys, and awkward charm, he continues to use comedy to speak openly about life, loss, and mental health.

We spoke to Schalk about Movember, men’s mental health, creativity, divorce, dogs, and moving forward one joke at a time.

What Movember represents

Movember matters because it sparks conversation. A sudden moustache draws attention and invites questions. That visibility opens space for discussions around men’s health.

For Schalk, the moustache stays either way. Without it, he jokes, he looks twelve with grey hair. Not ideal. Movember simply gives the moustache purpose beyond style.

Using humour to talk about men’s mental health

Comedy helps lower defences. Serious conversations feel easier when wrapped in humour. Talking about anxiety around a braai is rarely natural, but a joke creates an opening.

Laughter lightens the weight of difficult topics. It makes people listen and helps vulnerability feel less intimidating.

Balancing vulnerability on stage

Schalk follows one rule. It has to be funny. If something lands, almost any topic works. If it fails, it risks harm.

His comedy has shifted over time. He swears less now, not from restraint, but from growth. Swearing once felt like a shortcut. These days, his shows feel more family-friendly. Not for young kids, but older teens manage fine.

A message to South African men

Go to therapy. Do not wait for a breakdown. Therapy does not mean something is wrong. It also highlights what works.

Schalk says some sessions leave him realising life feels less broken than expected. That alone makes it worth the cost.

Creative growth and the comedy scene

Audiences grow with performers. Some follow from the start. Others return later. It feels like reconnecting with old friends.

The local comedy scene continues to expand. More voices, more styles, and stronger respect for comedy as an art form keep the space alive and challenging.

Why stand-up stays the hardest

Stand-up pushes hardest. Acting carries emotional weight, but the story belongs to someone else. On stage, the story stays personal. There is no place to hide.

That raw exposure keeps Schalk engaged and connected to his audience.

Life after divorce

Divorce reshaped perspective. The performer lifestyle demands understanding and shared commitment. Sometimes life shifts beyond control.

Schalk sees the experience as difficult but survivable. Comedy helped process it. Speaking about it on stage gave it form and closure.

Sharing personal stories deepens connection. The moment becomes human, not only humorous.

Lessons learned

Fear lessens once faced. Schalk says he feared relationships ending. After living through one ending, he knows survival follows. That knowledge brings freedom.

Dogs as daily therapy

His dogs play a steady role in healing. They offer loyalty without judgement. Absence does not change their affection.

Dogs teach simple love. No conditions. No complications. Just presence.

If his dogs described him in one line, Schalk laughs. He thinks they would say he is funny, but away too often.

Acting and what comes next

Schalk gravitates toward roles that surprise. Not shock. Surprise proves growth. Kanarie delivered that moment for him.

New projects lie ahead. An Afrikaans comedy series arrives early next year. He co-wrote it, which adds personal weight. His new stand-up show, Hey, Hey Divorcee, tours locally and internationally in 2026.