Dalin Oliver is a Cape Town–based comedian, radio personality and former high school teacher whose energetic, family-friendly comedy has made him a standout voice in South Africa’s entertainment scene. He hosts Happy Hour on Good Hope FM and serves as the sports presenter on the station’s flagship breakfast show. His career in performance began after winning the UCT leg of Good Hope FM’s Campus DJ Search in 2010, a moment that sparked his transition from the classroom to the comedy stage.
Oliver’s dynamic style, rooted in relatable storytelling and personal experiences, quickly gained traction. He has appeared on Comedy Central Africa, toured nationally and opened for leading South African comedy icons including Riaad Moosa, Barry Hilton, Stuart Taylor and Nik Rabinowitz.
His debut one-man show, I Came, I Taught, I Left, became a festival sensation, earning top rankings at the National Arts Festival and selling out multiple runs at the Baxter Theatre and the Port Elizabeth Opera House. Its success led to a 2017 DVD release and cemented Oliver as a rising comedic force.
Balancing radio, live performance and screen work, Oliver continues to grow his fan base with polished storytelling, humor grounded in everyday life and a stage presence that appeals across age groups.
Dalin Oliver hosts Happy Hour, a weekly comedy show on the Western Cape commercial radio station, Good Hope FM on Mondays between 11:00am and 12:00pm with fellow comedian Carl Weber. Dalin is also the sports presenter on the radio station’s breakfast show weekdays between 06:00am and 09:00am, hosted by Nigel Pierce.
His passion for the performance arts was triggered in 2010 when he won the UCT leg of the Good Hope FM’s Campus DJ Search. A few months later, the comedy bug bit him and the qualified high school mathematics and history teacher ditched the chalk board for a microphone and the stage.
The 29-year-old has managed to capture audiences with his clean-cut energetic brand of comedy. His career highlights include featuring on Comedy Central Africa, releasing two one-man shows, a DVD, making his big screen debut and sharing the stage (and touring with) industry stalwarts such as Riaad Moosa, Barry Hilton, Stuart Taylor and Nik Rabinowitz as their opening act.
Dalin Oliver debut one man shows, ‘I Came, I Taught, I Left’ was a smash hit at the National Arts Festival in 2014 and 2015 and it was one of the most popular shows. So much so that its final run in 2016 was in the top thirty grossing productions at the Fringe Festival.
The response from his home town was overwhelming. The show sold out within 24 hours of its first six-night run at the Baxter Theatre in 2015. To top it off, the show returned to the prestigious theatre for a ‘back by popular demand’ 14 show run in 2016 and sold out again. On both occasions, additional shows had to be added due to public demand.
The show experienced the same success in the friendly city of Port Elizabeth where it sold out three nights at the Port Elizabeth Opera House, which led to yet another additional show being added. To top off its success, ‘the I Came, I Taught, I Left’ DVD was released in 2017.
Dalin Oliver skills set was tested when he played one of the leading roles in his first feature film, ‘Finders Keepers’ which was released in cinemas nationwide in 2017. Directed by Maynard Kraak, the South African action comedy features the likes of Neels Van Jaarsveld, Siv Ngesi, Stuart Taylor, Irshaad Ally and Grant Swanby.
To compliment his big screen debut, Dalin Oliver was one of the featured acts at the 2017 Jive Cape Town Funny Festival at the Baxter Theatre and he successfully completed a national tour of his second one-man show ‘Face for Radio’. It hit all the big cities and it received an overwhelming response in Grahamstown at the National Arts Festival Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
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This 7 minute Comedy Central Africa set features Dalin Oliver performing a lively, character-driven routine rooted in self-deprecating humor, cultural quirks and high-energy storytelling. He opens by joking about the audience’s quietness and playfully positions himself as an “awkwardly good-looking” Jew whose attractiveness changes depending on lighting. Building on this, he riffs about how people insist he resembles Vin Diesel, calling himself the “South African malnourished version, 95 unleaded.”
Oliver moves into a bit about his stage entrances and a friend named Ravi, a devoted Michael Jackson impersonator from Durban. His animated reenactment of Ravi’s exaggerated club entrance, complete with sound effects, earns strong crowd reactions. He continues by advising couples to use the same “hee-hee” sound to improve their love lives, extending the gag into a playful audience interaction.
He then pivots to a broader comedic theme: South African linguistic quirks. He celebrates Cape Town’s “uniqueness” while joking about colloquial words like “kutis,” “thingamajig,” “whatchamacallit,” and conversational fillers like “moss.” Oliver blends affectionate teasing with cultural relatability, using the audience’s reactions to drive the rhythm of the set.
From there, he critiques how social media abbreviations have made communication “stupider,” exaggerating the trend with a rapid-fire string of acronyms, illustrating how absurd everyday conversation could become. The audience laughs as he reenacts an exchange about misunderstood abbreviations, including a moment when a friend mistakes “STD” for “standard,” creating comic misunderstanding.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Virtual speaking appearances can indeed offer cost savings compared to in-person events. Virtual speaking rates are often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates due to factors such as reduced travel expenses and logistics. This makes virtual events a cost-effective alternative for organizations looking to book speakers within a budget.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
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