Tumi Morake has steadily grown into one of South Africa’s most sought after comedians, earning the title of South Africa’s Comic of The Year 2016. Named Free State Icon in 2011, Morake’s edgy brand of comedy has earned her a place as a headliner in comedy festivals all over South Africa.
She’s bold, she’s sassy and you simply cannot ignore her. The first woman to host Comedy Central Presents On African soil, Tumi has become relentless in her quest to maintain her footing as a comedy tour de force. Not one to be limited by borders, Tumi’s comedy has seen her wow audiences in Wimbledon, Ghana, Australia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Following the success of her debut one woman show Her story in 2011, Tumi took to Scotland in 2013 to tick off a bucket list item: A one-woman show at the famed Edinburgh Festival.
2015 saw her one man show return with Tumi Or Not Tumi, which toured in a new form in 2017 and is travelling to Australia in 2018.Beyond her comedy, Tumi has been the face of major campaigns with Vodacom and Kelloggs. As a producer, Tumi Morake work has been nominated in various categories at the South African Film and Television Awards, which she also hosted in 2013 and 2014. She also hosted the prestigious SAMA Awards in what was dubbed “the most popular SAMA broadcast”.
Tumi has also had some critical recognition thrown her way, from being named one of The Free State Province’s Icons, to the Entertainer of the Year at the 2012 Speakers of Note Awards. She is a recipient of the the Mboko Women In The Arts Award for Excellence in Comedy 2013.
Tumi’s crowning glories have been her nominations for coveted Comic of The Year at the 2013, 2014, 2015 and finally winning it in 2016 at the Comic’s Choice Awards. 2015 saw her nominated in the Glamour Woman Of The Year Awards. She was voted You Spectacular Favourite Comedian 2016.Tumi’s continental claim to fame began as the host of The Big Brother Hot Room, a comical round up of Big Brother Africa. She also spent two seasons on the judging panel of etv’s She’s The One.
Tumi Morake the star continued to rise as host of the ever trending Our Perfect Wedding for a record 3 seasons after a public demand for her return. Since 2015 she has reigned as Madame Speaker, hosting SAFTA Award-winning game show Point Of Order. She also hosts Red Cake on SABC 2 and her own late night talk show, #WTFTUMIon SABC 3.
Tumi Morake, in true multitasking woman style, has channelled her comedy into writing, acting and producing. She has begun making waves in radio as well, moving from online radio to the airwaves on breakfast radio.
Tumi Morake relocated to Johannesburg from the North West in order to follow her passion for the Arts. The multi-lingual powerhouse studied Drama at Wits from 2000 to 2003 which launched her into her first job travelling with AREPP Theatre Life, a touring educational theatre company, working across South Africa.
After paying her dues on the road, in 2005 Tumi Morake arrived back in Johannesburg with her heart set on making a name for herself in the comedy world. Breaking out in 2006 Tumi is one of the most successful female comedians and highly sort after on the commercial and corporate circuit.
She has worked with the likes of David Kau, Mark Lottering, Barry Hilton and Chris Forest on stages such as the Heavyweights Comedy Jam, Blacks Only, Have A Heart, Just Because Comedy Festival, The Tshwane Comedy Festival, The Lifestyle SA Festival and Old Mutual Comedy Encounters.
