Ba Matero: Difference between revisions

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| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|2000|4|2}}
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|2000|4|2}}
| birth_place    = Matero, Lusaka, Zambia
| birth_place    = Matero, Lusaka, Zambia
| nationality    =  
| nationality    = Zambian
| occupation      = Comedian, Boxer
| occupation      = Comedian, Social media influencer, Boxer
| years_active    = 2021–present
| years_active    = 2021–present
| known_for      = Unique miming comedy on suburban life
| known_for      = Physical comedy and miming skits depicting suburban life
| notable_works  = Comedy skits on social media  
| notable_works  = Comedy skits on social media
| father          = [[Bishop John General]]
| father          = [[Bishop John General]]
| spouse          = (married)
| spouse          = (married)
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}}
}}


'''Ba Matero''' (born Francis Nundwe on April 2, 2000) is a Zambian comedian known for his distinctive style of comedy that involves mimicking and acting out everyday suburban scenarios, especially petty thieving in Lusaka suburbs like Matero. His skits often feature an accompanying song, ''[[Nalitumpa Ine (Song)|Nalitumpa Ine ]]'' by [[4 na 5]] featuring [[Slap Dee]], which has contributed to his unique appeal.
'''Ba Matero''' (born '''Francis Nundwe''' on 2 April 2000) is a Zambian comedian, boxer, and social media influencer known for his humorous skits portraying everyday township life in Lusaka’s suburb of Matero. His comedy blends silent acting, exaggerated expressions, and relatable “petty theft” scenarios, earning him widespread popularity online. He became widely recognized after one of his videos—where he humorously pretended to steal from a Shoprite store—went viral, briefly leading to his arrest and boosting his fame nationwide.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
 
Francis Nundwe was born and raised in Matero, Lusaka. He attended primary school in Matero, later proceeding to New Matero Secondary School for grades 10 and 11, before completing grade 12 at Libala Secondary School in 2019. He is the fourth child of Bishop John General, a well-known Lusaka-based preacher.
Francis Nundwe was born and raised in Matero, Lusaka. He attended primary school in Matero, continued to New Matero Secondary School for grades 10 and 11, and completed grade 12 at Libala Secondary School in 2019. He is the fourth child of Bishop John General, a well-known Lusaka preacher.


==Career==
==Career==
===Rise to fame===
Ba Matero began posting comedic skits on social media in 2021. Within a few months, his unique non-verbal style attracted thousands of followers. His major breakthrough came when one of his videos, in which he pretended to steal items from a Shoprite supermarket, went viral and briefly landed him in police custody—a moment that significantly increased his visibility and fan base.


Ba Matero's interest in comedy dates back to his school days but only gained significant traction after posting comedy skits on social media over the course of four months, leading to a rapid rise in popularity with thousands of followers.
===Comedic style===
Influenced by British comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]] (''Mr. Bean''), Ba Matero relies on physical gestures and facial expressions rather than dialogue. His skits humorously portray daily township experiences, often focusing on relatable petty theft scenes and street-smart behavior. He jokingly describes his on-screen persona as a graduate of the “Matero University of Thieving.” The recurring use of the song ''[[Nalitumpa Ine (song)|Nalitumpa Ine]]'' by [[4 na 5]] featuring [[Slap Dee]] has become a signature feature in his videos.


His comedy style is non-verbal and heavily inspired by British comedian Rowan Atkinson, best known as Mr. Bean, focusing on physical expressions rather than stand-up or musical performances common in Zambia. Ba Matero jokingly refers to his character as coming from "Matero University of Thieving," playfully highlighting his focus on petty theft themes in his comedy.
===Awards and endorsements===
Ba Matero’s growing influence has earned him multiple awards, including the '''Best Influencer Award''' at the '''Zamtel Social Media Awards''', where he received a new Toyota Hilux and K125,000 in prize money. His online success has also led to partnerships and brand collaborations with companies such as MTN Zambia, GSB, and 1xBet.


Apart from comedy, Ba Matero is also an accomplished boxer. He won a gold medal representing the national team through Exodus Boxing Academy and is known in boxing circles as "Kappa." He manages his father's media team at Healing Center Television when not producing comedy content.
===Boxing career===
Before focusing on comedy, Ba Matero was a professional boxer. Competing under the nickname “Kappa,” he represented Zambia through the Exodus Boxing Academy, where he won a gold medal. While he has stated that he may one day return to the ring, he currently prioritizes his entertainment career. He also assists in managing his father’s media team at Healing Center Television.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
 
Ba Matero is married and has one child. He is the son of [[Bishop John General]], a well-known preacher who initially disapproved of his comedy career due to its controversial nature and legal challenges. In 2024, Bishop General publicly prophesied that his son’s fame could become a distraction, an incident that attracted media attention. Ba Matero later called for forgiveness and reconciliation, defending his father. The two have since reconciled, and Bishop General is now one of his strongest supporters.
Initially, his father was opposed to his comedic career due to its nature and some legal troubles Ba Matero encountered. However, Bishop John General is now one of his biggest supporters. Ba Matero is married and has one child.


==Philosophy and impact==
==Philosophy and impact==
Ba Matero maintains that his comedy is meant to entertain and educate rather than promote theft. He emphasizes that his skits teach awareness, caution, and social responsibility. He considers himself his own competition and aspires to meet his inspiration, Rowan Atkinson (''Mr. Bean'').


Ba Matero emphasizes that his comedy is meant to entertain and educate. Though some critics accuse him of encouraging theft, he maintains that his work promotes responsibility, awareness, and carefulness in public behavior. He sees himself as competing only with himself and aspires to meet his inspiration, Mr. Bean.
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:2000 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Zambian comedians]]
[[Category:Zambian male actors]]
[[Category:Zambian social media personalities]]
[[Category:Zambian boxers]]
[[Category:People from Lusaka]]
[[Category:21st-century Zambian people]]
[[Category:Internet celebrities]]

Revision as of 14:43, 16 October 2025

Ba Matero -
Born (2000-04-02) April 2, 2000 (age 25)
Matero, Lusaka, Zambia
Nationality Zambian
Occupation Comedian, Social media influencer, Boxer
Years active 2021–present
Known for Physical comedy and miming skits depicting suburban life
Notable work Comedy skits on social media
Awards
Children 1


Ba Matero (born Francis Nundwe on 2 April 2000) is a Zambian comedian, boxer, and social media influencer known for his humorous skits portraying everyday township life in Lusaka’s suburb of Matero. His comedy blends silent acting, exaggerated expressions, and relatable “petty theft” scenarios, earning him widespread popularity online. He became widely recognized after one of his videos—where he humorously pretended to steal from a Shoprite store—went viral, briefly leading to his arrest and boosting his fame nationwide.

Early life and education

Francis Nundwe was born and raised in Matero, Lusaka. He attended primary school in Matero, later proceeding to New Matero Secondary School for grades 10 and 11, before completing grade 12 at Libala Secondary School in 2019. He is the fourth child of Bishop John General, a well-known Lusaka-based preacher.

Career

Rise to fame

Ba Matero began posting comedic skits on social media in 2021. Within a few months, his unique non-verbal style attracted thousands of followers. His major breakthrough came when one of his videos, in which he pretended to steal items from a Shoprite supermarket, went viral and briefly landed him in police custody—a moment that significantly increased his visibility and fan base.

Comedic style

Influenced by British comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Ba Matero relies on physical gestures and facial expressions rather than dialogue. His skits humorously portray daily township experiences, often focusing on relatable petty theft scenes and street-smart behavior. He jokingly describes his on-screen persona as a graduate of the “Matero University of Thieving.” The recurring use of the song Nalitumpa Ine by 4 na 5 featuring Slap Dee has become a signature feature in his videos.

Awards and endorsements

Ba Matero’s growing influence has earned him multiple awards, including the Best Influencer Award at the Zamtel Social Media Awards, where he received a new Toyota Hilux and K125,000 in prize money. His online success has also led to partnerships and brand collaborations with companies such as MTN Zambia, GSB, and 1xBet.

Boxing career

Before focusing on comedy, Ba Matero was a professional boxer. Competing under the nickname “Kappa,” he represented Zambia through the Exodus Boxing Academy, where he won a gold medal. While he has stated that he may one day return to the ring, he currently prioritizes his entertainment career. He also assists in managing his father’s media team at Healing Center Television.

Personal life

Ba Matero is married and has one child. He is the son of Bishop John General, a well-known preacher who initially disapproved of his comedy career due to its controversial nature and legal challenges. In 2024, Bishop General publicly prophesied that his son’s fame could become a distraction, an incident that attracted media attention. Ba Matero later called for forgiveness and reconciliation, defending his father. The two have since reconciled, and Bishop General is now one of his strongest supporters.

Philosophy and impact

Ba Matero maintains that his comedy is meant to entertain and educate rather than promote theft. He emphasizes that his skits teach awareness, caution, and social responsibility. He considers himself his own competition and aspires to meet his inspiration, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean).

References