{{Short description|South African comedian}} {{Multiple issues| {{BLP sources|date=May 2024}} {{Notability|1=Biographies|date=May 2024}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use South African English|date=July 2012}} {{Infobox comedian | name = John Vlismas | image = JohnVlismas2026.jpg | caption = Vlismas in 2026 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1973|5|3}} | birth_place = Marondera, Zimbabwe | death_place = | medium = Stand-Up Research Class Room Board Room | genre =Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | subject = Politics<br>Everyday life <!-- Infobox comedian does not support the following parameter: | influenced = Thimna Mhlauli --> | notable_works = How to manage the workplace diversity dilemma - a Henley White Paper | signature = | website = {{URL|www.ogocreative.co.za}} | footnotes = |education=Nat. Dip. Drama. MBA|alma_mater=Henley Business School Africa}}
'''John Vlismas''' (born 3 May 1973)<ref>"Who's Who SA: John Vlismas". ''whoswhosa.co.za''. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.</ref> is a South African stand-up comedian, academic and DEI strategist.
== Comedy career == Vlismas won the 2007 South African Comedy Award for best stand-up comedian of the year and was a finalist in the 2008 Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Vlismas {{!}} Level Up Management Agency |url=https://www.levelupma.co.za/john-vlismas |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=Level Up MA |language=en}}</ref>
In 2010, Vlismas appeared in the comedy film ''Outrageous'' alongside fellow South African comedians Barry Hilton, Joey Rasdien, Loyiso Gola, Mark Banks, Riaad Moosa and Krijay Govender.<ref>"SPLING | Movie Critic | Movie Reviews | Film News | Celeb Interviews – Outrageous! | Comedy".</ref>
In April 2014, Vlismas was part of the panel for Comedy Central Africa's ''Roast of Kenny Kunene and Steve Hofmeyr''.<ref name="TVSA">"TVSA Actor Profile: John Vlismas". ''TVSA''.</ref>
He has also appeared in several Comedy Central productions, including solo specials and additional ''Comedy Central Roast'' programmes.<ref name="TVSA" />
Vlismas has performed internationally at venues including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Sydney Modern Art Museum and the Tempodrome in Berlin.<ref name="TVSA" />
He was appointed as a 46664 Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.<ref name="TVSA" />
== Academic and business career == Vlismas was awarded a scholarship at Henley Business School Africa, where he completed an MBA.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henley Business School Africa profile |url=https://www.henleysa.ac.za |access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref>
During his MBA studies, he received distinctions in Strategic Marketing and Relationship Marketing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henley Business School programme information |url=https://www.henleysa.ac.za |access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref>
He works in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), leadership, culture and community building through his business, OGO Creative, where he serves as co-founder and Head of Strategy.<ref>{{cite web |title=OGO Creative |url=https://www.ogocreative.co.za |access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref>
Vlismas has collaborated with Henley Business School in the co-design and facilitation of course material and contributed to the transition of marketing and learning activities to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henley Business School Africa news and programmes |url=https://www.henleysa.ac.za |access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref>
In 2023, he co-authored a white paper with Henley Business School on workplace diversity.<ref>{{cite web |title=White Paper: How to manage the workplace diversity dilemma |url=https://content.henleysa.ac.za/white-paper-how-to-manage-the-workplace-diversity-dilemma |access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref>
In 2024, he presented a work titled ''Player Zero'' at LeaderEx and at academic and industry conferences.<ref>Vlismas, J. (2024, September 10). ''Player Zero'' [Presentation/Talk]. Leaderex 2024, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.</ref>
==See also==
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{wikiquote}} * {{IMDb name|id=1632383|name=John Vlismas}} * [http://www.tvsa.co.za/actorprofile.asp?actorid=14281 TVSA Actor Profile: John Vlismas]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vlismas, John}} Category:South African male comedians Category:Living people Category:1973 births
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