Comprehension: Race the Butt of South African Comedy

South African comedy is taking on a new role, poking fun at sensitive race issues, along with politicians' political and bedroom antics. The stand-up comics are breaking taboos, helping heal a country with a turbulent past.
Watch the video and answer the questions below.  

Decide if the statements are True or False.

1. The jokes are about many issues in South Africa.
a. True
b. False

2. Comedians are very careful NOT to be racist.
a. True
b. False

3. The irreverent comedy appeals to different types of people in South Africa.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

For years race has been a touchy subject in South Africa. But now irreverent comedy is tackling the country's persistent racial divides, making audiences laugh about issues they don’t dare to discuss in public. And it's increasingly popular with audiences, whether they are black or white, rich or poor. 

"We go from a gold mine on one day where people only speak Zulu and Afrikaans and a little bit of English to a billionaire's birthday party that night to a nightclub in Soweto the next day." 

"You know why Oscar's crying - because white people don't think of jail until they're in court." 

In a country still trying to come to terms with the legacy of apartheid, humour has a key role to play. The jokes take on politicians, as well as the cultural differences between white and black, coloured and Indian. Comedians are openly racist with all racial groups the butt of their jokes. 

"Maybe because of our history it confronts a lot of things that a lot of countries in the world, even going as far to say as the UK, don't really deal with." 

The jokes make fun of the same topics that for years caused violent confrontation - race, politics and religion. And laughing at those subjects brings some light relief, helping to heal a country not yet twenty years into democracy. 

"I have fought against white domination I have fought against black domination and I am fighting against your domination. I thank you."

Answers:
1. a
2. b
3. a

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