In this episode, Media & Marketing Show host, Hasanain Abdullah engaged with Conrad Koch and his puppet Chester Missing was also present.
Conrad Koch bio reads as follows:
Conrad is an award winning comedy ventriloquist, a recipient of the Ovation awards 2026 at The National Arts Festival. Having performed at international cities including Perth and Canada, as well as being a regular feature at SA’s comedy events.
Chester Missing, his alter ego, has become a household name that offers political commentary with an edgy wit that acts as a pressure valve to release the tension.
He has a Masters in psychology and social anthropology from Wits University.
The conversation touched on the Conrad’s role as a satirist to hold political parties and government to account through his work. He reflected on this and he commented that government officials and political role players have over time taking a liking to him despite his work that hold power to account. His brand of humour and his charisma may be attributed to building long term relationships which had afforded him countless opportunities including being on the
State of the Nation (SONA) red carpet.
During the conversation, he reflected on being from a certain demographic, i.e White, middle class male where he deals with issues including white privilege. His approach addressing thought provoking themes including, while at the same way building social cohesion and bridges among diverse groups of people. He chatted about a complaint that was levelled against him, which was raised by the South African Human Right Commissions. Conrad in his response, stated that he knows well the perils associated as a stand-up comedian how his views may negatively affect his craft from a business point of view. He has had to deal with cancel culture from certain business quarters, due to his outspoken views.
The conversation touched on the media and tech-centric approach that Conrad invests in his craft. He uses short-form video on social media and his website to add social commentary to topics affecting South Africans. At the time of hosting this engagement in 2026, he hosted “Chester’s Got Talent”, an interactive comedy show where the audience gets to rate his performance. This is where his website is the primary source of information for the national South Africa tour.
It is social commentary that is presented with comedy that continues to add comedic relief and much needed tension release for South Africans.
