Mel Jones
Western Cape
Mel Jones, who was born and reared in Cape Town, sees herself as "the favourite" of three siblings. She is a single mother, an award-winning comedian, a dynamic MC, and a radio producer and presenter. Her whirlwind infatuation with comedy began when she was praised for her performance in a local comedy gala only six weeks after her first open mic slot.
You may have heard her on the radio as a co-host of a popular morning show, seen her on SABC's Comedy Showcase, the Phat Joe show, the King Size Comedy Tour, the Blacks Only Comedy Show, Mind The Gap, The Heavyweight Comedy Jam, Kings & Queens of Comedy, the critically acclaimed comedy & sketch show, Bitches, the Vodacom Funny Festival, where she was their very first female host, Comedy Central, the Jo'burg International Comedy Festival,
You may also have read about her in numerous magazines (not the "bikini" magazines, but the edu-tainment ones). Ask her mother; she has every copy). In reality, she has joined an elite club of those who have been chosen to be the guest editor for an issue of Khuluma magazine.
She was also included in the book 'Mitchell's Plain - A Place in the Sun,' which spawned an award-winning stage production in which she starred. For two years in a row, the production was also included at the Suidoosterfees at the Artscape in Cape Town. And, by being true to her roots, she has been named one of 12 "Mitchell's Plain Heroes." These individuals were chosen because they boost the community and encourage young people growing up in similar circumstances.
The comedy shows 'Doing It for the Money,' 'Still Doing It,' and her solo performance, Just Me with a "L," have all been a big hit in Cape Town. Mel takes comedy and laughing very seriously, and as one of just a few female comedians in the country, she is a member of a very rare club.