When political heavyweight Helen Zille was invited to a roast, she thought it involved lamb. But the DA’s federal chairperson is about to get a whole different kind of heat — this time, from the comedy stage.

 

• They say it takes a brave person to accept the challenge of being roasted at Africa’s greatest comedy festival, but Helen Zille is confident that she can do it.
• With her trademark wit, a dash of rebellion, and a surprising enthusiasm for taking the hot seat she may be delivering a few burns of her own.
• From 2 to 4 May 2025, the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) will once again come alive as a vibrant hub of belly-laughs and festivities.
• Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

 

The DA’s federal chairperson, known for her razor-sharp intellect, unapologetic candour, and Twitter presence that could singe your eyebrows off, is stepping onto the comedy stage as the headline act for the 2025 Showmax Roast. It’s a move that some might deem equal parts brave and bold – and totally on brand for a woman who’s built a career charging into the fray.

 

Speaking to The Sandton Times after the announcement, Zille displayed the same rebellious spark that’s made her a mainstay in South African politics. When asked if she was nervous, Helen simply laughed it off, noting that since people roast her behind her back all the time, she might as well let them do it to her face – proving she’s not only got a thick skin, but also a clear appetite for the heat.

 

The 2025 Showmax Roast is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with a packed line-up of comedians ready to deliver punchlines sharper than policy debates. For creative director of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, Stuart Taylor, selecting the perfect roastee is “a science – it’s the fine line between a cock-up and a laugh-up”.

She’s a heavyweight in politics, and she’s also a lady, so we’ll handle her with care.

// Creative Director of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, Stuart Taylor

 

One can only hope the panellists are as gentle as they are funny – but given the Roast’s history, that’s unlikely. Roasts, by their very nature, are not for the faint-hearted. They’re brutally honest, ruthlessly funny, and sometimes just brutal. No insult is too small, and no ego too big to be poked. But it’s all done in the name of good humour – and Helen seems up for it. In fact, she’s ready to flip the format on its head. Is this the roast of Helen Zille, or the roasting by Helen Zille?

Well, it’s definitely the latter. I mean, these guys don’t know what they’ve let themselves in for.

// Helen Zille

 

And how did she come to say yes to something so, well, frivolous?

I thought they were inviting me to lunch. Roast lamb is my preference.

// Helen Zille

 

But once she realised what she’d signed up for, she didn’t back down. Even when her sons advised her against it, Helen stuck to her guns.

I was giving them a bit of their own medicine. Every time I advised them not to do something, they did it anyway. So I showed them it can work both ways.

// Helen Zille

 

It’s hard to imagine a more unexpected pairing – a political stalwart walking willingly into a firestorm of jokes – but Helen insists it’s a natural fit.

I enjoy risks. I’m not risk-averse in any way. I love new experiences and doing things I would never do again in my life – or have never done before.

// Helen Zille

 

The Roast, it seems, is her comedic Mount Everest. And she’s climbing it in heels. She jokes that being of German heritage, humour doesn’t always come naturally, but South Africa has taught her to laugh.

For me, it was a survival mechanism. You’ve got to learn to laugh at yourself and laugh with other people. And slowly, as a German, you discover the funny bone – even if you can’t touch it often.

// Helen Zille

 

While she’s not sure who’ll be on the panel, she’s got her preferences.

My husband couldn’t roast for love or money. He’s just too nice.

// Helen Zille

 

She’s expecting some familiar political opponents to take shots, but she’s not too concerned. If anything, she might just enjoy it. Despite being very much a public figure, Helen insists her political career is behind her.

What I do now is help the DA succeed. South Africa won’t work without the DA succeeding. And I love South Africa. I want it to work. I’m committed to my grandchildren staying here.

// Helen Zille

It’s a telling remark – for all her controversies, Helen’s motivations remain rooted in a desire to see the country thrive. Beyond politics and punchlines, she’s still ticking off bucket list items.

I’ve never been to the Drakensberg, so I’m going there on Easter weekend. Then we’re cruising the Norwegian fjords — another big one for me.

// Helen Zille

 

But for now, it’s the Sandton stage that calls. The Roast of Helen Zille is expected to attract audiences eager to see the political firebrand turned comedy target. From her now-iconic rendition of Vuli Ndlela to the unfiltered hot takes that keep social media buzzing, Helen is no stranger to spectacle. And with Showmax once again turning up the heat, the evening promises punchlines, brutal burns, and some unexpected sentiment.

Helen Zille is bold, outspoken, and exactly the kind of personality that makes for an unforgettable Roast. At Showmax, we’re not afraid to stir the pot – and the Roast is the perfect place to do it.

// Showmax’s Executive Head of Content Strategy, Tracy-Ann Van Rooyen

 

 

The laughs will be loud, the comebacks cutting, and the burns – well, properly done. Whether you’re a fan or a fierce critic, there’s no denying it: Helen Zille is bringing the spice to Sandton. And if she has anything to do with it, she’ll be serving up the final zinger herself.

 

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