A new stand-up comedy show is denouncing the development sector; Bono and Geldof are C**ts by author and comedian Jane Bussmann is a quick-witted, one hour satire on charity.

Bussmann has spent time in Hollywood and written for various comedy shows including South Park and Brass Eye. She now lives in Mombasa, and while the titular targets of her frustration are Bono and Geldof, she has several things to say about the entire 'poverty industry' that those of us who work in development might do well to listen to.

When it comes to the eponymous two, Bussmann discusses the flaws and contradictions in their attempt to 'help' Africa that most in the sector are aware of, interspersed with humorous anecdotes and YouTube clips of them behaving particularly c**t-like.

The show covers the sector's well-documented mistakes (Rwanda), and accuses aid workers of overindulgence. While wittily put, her points are somewhat scattergun and many are unlikely to hold up under scrutiny. There's no denying she's funny however, and there is certainly one point she makes that the development sector should listen to.

Bussmann says what many have been saying for years; that patronising messaging is damaging Africa. As she puts it: would you hire someone if, before they came in for interview, you were told they were pathetic, disease ridden and incompetent?

She picks on Oxfam when it comes to messaging – hardly the worst offenders for flies-in-the-eyes imagery – but she is nonetheless right that as a sector it's imperative we improve in this area.

As well as Oxfam, the United Nations, Unicef, the World Food Program, and Bono's own One Campaign come under fire. Some may be angry with her for this portrayal of our sector – I'd be interested to know what the One Campaign thinks - but all we can do now is learn from it, and try not to be c**ts.

Rosa Ellis is the communications manager for Health Poverty Action

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