United States-based Zimbabwean comedian and America’s Got Talent (AGT) finalist, Learnmore Jonasi, has had his upcoming Bulawayo show postponed due to new travel policies enacted by US President Donald Trump, if the show organisers recent statement is anything to go by.
Originally scheduled for August 23 at the Large City Hall, the show, organised by Umahlekisa Comedy Club, was called off because of “unforeseen circumstances in global foreign policies that have made his travel not possible at this time”, according to a statement from the organisers.
The statement, which expressed “a heavy heart” added, “We will, however, be hosting him in the near future when conditions permit. We apologize for the inconvenience caused”.
The travel issues stem from a presidential proclamation signed by Trump on June 4, 2025.
Titled Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, the proclamation imposed full entry suspensions on certain nationals from 12 countries and partial suspensions from seven, effective June 9, 2025.
While these new restrictions offer more exceptions than Trump’s previous travel bans, they have created considerable uncertainty for individuals and businesses, impacting international travel for performers like Jonasi.
Despite Jonasi’s absence, the show will go on.
Organisers have brought in South African comedians Khanyisa Bunu and Siyanda Maphumulo as replacements.
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