Tumi Morake is taking comedy to the people.
JOBURG – Queen of Comedy shows the country who she really is.
Having kicked off her first official South African tour, Tumi Morake has been entertaining audiences with her hilarious, one-woman show, Tumi or Not Tumi.
The show tracks the Queen of Comedy as she tries to find herself in the schizophrenia that is motherhood, wifehood and South African-hood. She made history when she was crowned female comic of the year at the sixth annual Savannah comic’s choice awards, and she’s not ready to give up that crown just yet.
“After 10 years in the industry, it’s crazy that I have never done a South African tour. Well, the time has finally arrived. The comedy industry in this country has grown so much in terms of offerings and demand. South Africans seem to have an insatiable appetite for it and, hopefully, I can [tickle] their taste buds with this new show,” said the vivacious comedian.
Raw and unapologetic, the thought-provoking show is a glimpse of what life can be like if we made a little effort – putting us all, and herself, under the spotlight. Since beginning her career in 2006, she has steadily grown into being one of South Africa’s most sought-after comedians, with many nominations and awards under her belt, including receiving last year the YOU spectacular award for comedian of the year.
A formidable force in the industry, some highlights of her career include being the first woman to host Comedy Central Presents on African soil and ticking off a bucket list item – taking her first one-woman show to the famed Edinburgh Festival in Scotland in 2013. The comedian spent two seasons on the judging panel of etv’s She’s The One and host of the ever-trending Our Perfect Wedding for a record three seasons after a public demand for her return.
While she has already stunned fans in Joburg with her stand-up comedy, this year sees Morake hosting her own shows on SABC, Red Cake and the second season of Point of Order – so you can’t miss her. “Finally, hauling my ass all over South Africa doing stand-up comedy! Back on TV, BIG news later in the year and I promise, no more babies,” she said.
Beyond her comedy, the multitasking talent has been the face of many major campaigns and 2017 brings with it new and exciting prospects.
Read: Q&A with Louise Carver
