Conrad has studied psychology, and has a master’s degree in social anthropology from WITS University (Cum Laude), focusing on corporate and African culture. He has had extensive experience implementing culture change programmes for the likes of FNB, Goldfields, Sun International, SAA, etc. He’s one of South Africa’s most in demand comedy talents. He combines hilarious comedy with world-class puppetry, and has done so for over fifteen years to local and international acclaim. As far as we know he is the world’s only anthropological ventriloquist. As an Anthropologist, Conrad is the right choice MC for change management conferences. He can also very powerfully fit into the innovation theme, with his new show that involves making puppets out of obscure objects, like an ostrich out of two feather dusters and a slipper.
The recipient of many awards, Conrad and his puppets have worked all over the world, has featured on local and international television and is a frequent guest at some of South Africa’s biggest comedy events – Mass Hysteria, Blacks Only, the Smirnoff Comedy Festival, the Vodacom Comedy Festival, Metro FM Comedy Experience, etc. Conrad’s hit one man shows have received standing ovations around South Africa. In 2015 Comedy Central Africa took him to Just For Laughs in Montreal, the world’s biggest comedy festival, where he recorded shows for both Comedy Central and Canada’s Comedy Network.
His most famous character, Mr. Chester Missing, was a regular on eNCA’s Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola. The outspoken Chester Missing’s television interviews with SA’s political elite have received wide acclaim. The use of a puppet to get political players to let down their guard is completely unique. In fact Chester Missing has been asked by the likes of City Press, Natal Witness, Reuters, and the Mail and Guardian, to comment on political affairs. Conrad’s show, MISSING, headlined on the main festival at the National Arts Festival in 2015. Chester Missing was one of New African magazine’s most Influential Africans of 2014, and You Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2014. Conrad and Chester were the first recipients of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Certificate of Appreciation for their stance against racism. In 2014 Chester Missing was the first puppet in history to be taken to court, and he won!
Conrad is completely unique in using his combination of razor sharp comedy with an understanding of human dynamics to create effective corporate communication. In the age of television and internet the human mind needs more than just facts read off the PowerPoint. His comedy is the sugar to effectively deliver the medicine of your message. His edu-taining talk, “Making Laughter Work” (on techniques to make the office a more diversity-friendly, pleasant, playful and productive environment), has received standing ovations around the country. This fun-filled interactive talk focuses specifically on creating a client-focused culture, where diversity, customer-centricity and corporate citizenship are lived, rather than just spoken about! Conrad learned his craft at the College of Magic in Cape Town. He is the only ventriloquist on the circuit, and is dedicated to bettering both his art form, and his contribution to debates on culture as a whole. Book Now!
