Comedians push racial boundaries

Laughter proves healer for a nation consumed by ethnic strife

Race relations are still a touchy subject in South Africa, but edgy jokes in comedy clubs release bottled-up social tension and trigger gales of laughter from multiracial audiences.

"Apartheid wasn't funny," said Mahlatse Botopela, 24, a black member of the audience at a recent show at a hotel in Krugersdorp near Johannesburg.