1. MENDING THE AUDIENCE, WITH LAUGHTER
Would you brush your teeth, with a broom?
Well only in the mind of a comedian, would this bizarrereasoningmakesense. Straight from the horse’s
mouth, Eric Jansen also known as Oom Diff, a 20-year-old born and bred into an outrageously humorous family
in Reiger Park,Boksburg. Eric a vibrantyet controversial youngman knew from the tender age of 9 that he
wanted to be a comedian.
Eric always questions thelogic people typically don’tcomprehend. For instance,spinningyour humdrum
morning routine back to front or even tyingyour shoelaces backwards.Everythingthat isn’tnormal, is Eric
Jansen, eagerly stated by the up and coming comedian as well as his older brother Julian Jansen, a 30-year-old
pilotfor the SAA.
In grade 9, a classmateinformed Eric of a youth comedy competition at the AtlasvilleChristian Family Church
with a grand prizeof R500. Eric eagerly entered the competition and each contender was allocated a
maximum of 3 minutes. The confident scholar blewthe audienceaway and was cheered on by the crowd for
more jokes. With an extra 15 minutes added Eric ultimately won the prize and was invited back by the Church
to MC the next talent show.
Winningthe youth comedy competition reassured Eric,that he wanted to be a comedian.
Upon completion of matric in 2013, Eric was impelled by his parents to further his studies in IT.However, after
3 months of college, Eric realised thatIT was not intended for him. The comedian quit college, sathis parents
down and persuaded them that he wanted to pursue a career in comedy. Despite their disappointment, they
reluctantly gave Eric a 1-year graceperiod by either making itin the industry and if not, he would have to
return to school. Eric grabbed the ultimatum and started his journey. In June 2014 Eric entered the annual
Comikaze competition and made it to the finalsbutdid not win the competition. As luck would have it, the
producers of the Comikaze competition gave the names of the finalists to Comedy Central Africa.
Comedy Central Africa constructed another competition called “Grab the Mic”. In July 2014 each finalistfrom
the Comikaze competition was contracted by Comedy Central to participatein the “Grab the Mic” competition
which would be recorded in front of a livestudio audience.The audience would vote if the up and coming
comedians made the cut or not. Each month 3 contenders would battle itout on stage and the winner of the
specific round would move up to the finals which was held in October 2015. Eric’s recordingwas held in August
2015 and he made itto the finals.To Eric’s surprisethe recorded shows was broadcasted on DSTV Comedy
Central channel 122. ‘Even though I didn’twin the competition, the exposure and experiences gained, was
overwhelming’ stated the comedian.
The presence of the young comedian was turningheads, especially with the heavy weight comedy family The
Goliaths.The Goliath family has taken Eric under their wing and is groominghim for the comedy industry.Eric
is currently employed by The Goliath’s and is beingused as an understudy especially for their corporate
events, where Eric observes the ins and outs of how corporate events and all comedy events for that matter
are executed.
The Goliath family will also belaunchingtheir new club The Roast Café and The Goliath Comedy Club at
Melrose Arch, where Eric will behostingthe opening night on the 2nd of April.Eric is also involved in the first
ever comedy gig listingpodcast,recorded at the Cliff Central studio,every Wednesday of the month.
Eric is not only involved in the comedy scene, but also gives back to his community by goingto different
schools and conveyingmotivation to the scholars with his besttalent, laughter. Eric states that motivating
young people, is his passion.
The lifeof the young comedian is absolutely frenetic,performing each day of the week and in turn sharpening
his comedy skillsfor the hilariousroad ahead.Watch this space,as the amped comedian will beblowing
audienceaway with his comedy lines.