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Tumi Morake Speaks On First Netflix Special

Posted on by Purity Lisa

For the first time, Tumi Morake will be joining the Comedians of the World that will be on Netflix on 1st January, 2019.

This is the first time she has performed at an American continent. For her, “It was exciting, frighting, eye-opening, and a growing experience.”

“Netflix gave us the power to edit our own specials so I’m really curious to see the two Loyiso’s and Riaad’s episode, because I watched them live and I watched it going: ‘This is perfect from start to finish and I wouldn’t change anything’.”

When Tumi was first selected to be part of the cast, she had some reservations.

“It’s overwhelming and I’m only human. The first thing that scared me was: ‘Am I really the best? Isn’t there someone better who could have done this?”

She had to firmly tell herself: “Tumi you’ve been working outside the country, Paris, US, Australia, why are so afraid of this?”

She becomes the first and only female artist to represent the African continent.

“It has a been huge affirmation that the work I’m doing has spoken for itself, and that people can trust me with something of this magnitude.”

“It’s one thing to be the first but it’s even more special to be counted among the best. And being the only female comedian from the continent makes it even more special. For the industry to grow, the artists need to grow, and diversify. To look like I have staying power means everything to me,” she adds.

“Sometimes we sell ourselves short.”

Tumi Morake Speaks On Dropping Out And Her Promise

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake had to drop out of university at some point, with the promise that she would one day return.

In her book, she describes how she was deep in debt and thus feared for her future at the university.

“By 2003, I was deeply in debt to the university. I had applied twice already for a loan from Wits, and had now run out of lifelines. I did not even have enough to register for a new year, even if I could raise the money I owed.”

Tumi could not be readmitted back to the school, until she finished paying her debt.

“I had seen it coming, but it still left me demoralised. Could not come this close to my degree and have the opportunity snatched so easily from me. I wanted to do this one thing for myself and my mother, so I decided against staying in Thaba Nchu. I had a better chance of finding my way into the industry by living in Johannesburg…but I wanted that degree.”

After six years, she fulfilled her promise and returned to complete her degree.

“I wanted to avoid the ‘But Mom, you never finished your degree, why should I finish mine?’ argument that could happen with my son in the future. Also, I wanted to finish the degree for my mother, so she could say she had a graduate in the family. I wanted to gift my mother this degree. She had loved my overconfidence in applying to a single university, and I had to deliver.”

Tumi eventually graduated, but could not attend the ceremony due to her mother’s deteriorating health.

“When my letter of graduation arrived, I took it to Mama with the delight of a schoolkid. Her first graduate. Normally she would not have missed my graduation ceremony for the world, but by the time it occurred in 2011, she had already been hospitalised. She had been looking forward to this day ever since I told her I had finally completed the damn thing, and I could tell that she was heartbroken to miss it.”

Tumi Morake Speaks On Putting Personal Experiences Into Jokes

Posted on by Purity Lisa

For Tumi Morake, comedy has helped her deal with her own traumatic experiences. Many of her experiences over the years have been recounted in her book, And Then Mama Said, and besides that, making people laugh has helped deal with it all.

“In everything that I do‚ there is a lot of me. When I am on stage‚ it is probably the most naked that I am. It is me explaining how Tumi experiences life and the things she goes through.”

It is a way of recovery for her, and helps her not let trauma consume her.

“That’s just how I am. Laughter has always been a crutch‚ a way to recover. Comedy gives you a safe space to talk about things you wouldn’t normally speak to strangers about. It is a space where we can all discuss something or start a conversation without emotions taking over.”

Tumi is part of the Netflix Comedians of the World series‚ alongside other South Africans Loyiso Gola‚ Riaad Moosa and Loyiso Madinga.

“It’s a wonderful experience that really will showcase just how good we are as South Africans. We are so talented and I hope this will show that not only to the world but also to South Africans. I think we all did our country proud.”

Tumi Morake and Mpho Osei-Tutu celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary

Posted on by Molly Mwangi

Tumi Morake and actor Mpho Osei-Tutu celebrated their 9-year wedding anniversary on Wednesday .

Taking to Instagram to celebrate, Tumi took a walk down memory lane by posting an image of herself and her husband on their wedding day.

”Bon anniversaire mon amour @mphooseitutu 9 years and counting,”Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Song of Solomon 8:6. ”She captioned the photo

Take a look at the photo

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqub4bHHuwD/

Inside Tumi Morake’s book launch

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake’s book And Then Mama Said was launched on Wednesday afternoon.

It was quite the family affair that thus saw Tumi’s family and close friends attend.

Photos

Here is what Tumi Morake’s book is all about

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake has detailed how she was body shamed in her upcoming book And Then Mama Said.

She is set to release her book in the first week of October.

“The book is the voice of Tumi in private, as well as a behind-the-scenes perspective of a pioneering South African star who has been deeply loved and viciously hated by her audiences,” the Tumi’s publicist Monica Steyn said in a statement.

Tumi will talk about the body shaming she endured, the race row on radio, the accident she had last year, and her relationship with her husband.

“Throughout her story, she carries the voice of her mother, and with it the indispensable life lessons that made her who she is today,” Steyn said.

The book is based on Tumi’s mother.

“It’s the personality that Tumi took on stage in the mostly male space of stand-up comedy, and the one that gave her the courage to comment about apartheid on air.”

Tumi Morake releases her first book

Posted on by Molly Mwangi

Tumi Morake has finally released her first book.

The  book is  titled And Then Mama Said…, which will give insight on her private life.

“And Then Mama Said… is the voice of Tumi in private, as well as a behind-the-scenes perspective of a pioneering South African star who has been both deeply loved and viciously hated by her audiences,” she explained.

“Tumi gets frank about the race row at Jacaranda FM, the Jaguar car accident that cyber bullies said she deserved, the body-shaming she endured on the set of Our Perfect Wedding, and her tumultuous relationship with her beloved husband.”

Here is a sneak peak of the book

Tumi Morake sets record as first African woman to have Netflix Special

Posted on by Purity Lisa

As a stand-up comedian, Tumi Morake has earned herself a place as the first African woman to have her own set on Netflix.

She will be one of the 47 comedians to star in an event series for Netflix that premieres in 2019.

Congratulations to Tumi.

Tumi Morake shows regret at leaving Jacaranda FM before Ma Winnie Mandela’s death

Posted on by Purity Lisa
Tumi Morake recently revealed how Ma Winnie Mandela’s death left her with regret at having left Jacaranda FM.

Speaking on Trending SA during an interview, she talked about how being kicked out of WITS made her evaluate her options, eventually deciding to pursue them on the streets of Jozi.

“I get kicked out of Wits because I can’t afford to pay for the fourth year, that’s what drove me, I had a choice, go back to Thaba Nchu, get pregnant have five kids by six dads or…stay and hustle because I know exactly what I want, I knew what I wanted, so about a year and a half, I stayed with different people at different times, I was a frickin’ clown at malls on Christmas being abused by kids, I was advertising newspapers in Checkers.”

Since getting her breakthrough on SABC 1, Tumi’s life has never been the same. Something she is now doing for her children.

“They must pay their own school fees, smile, speak english into the camera, that’s school fees for at least two years….only if they’re really interested in it, my first born, he is quite shy but he wants to be on TV, so I’m trying to break it to him gently that he’s gonna have to come out of his shell if he wants to be on TV, but the other two just love life, you don’t have to force them to do anything…”

Regret

Tumi felt it was the right time to leave Jacaranda FM. However, Ma Winnie’s death is making her regret that decision. She says she feels the need to contribute a black woman’s voice on the platform.

“The passing of mom Winnie broke me, in ways I never thought I could be broken, I got angry at myself for leaving Jacaranda after she passed away, I was like: “This is the time I should’ve been there for her passing, because this thing is gonna be covered in news and just and passed over but this is a big historical thing that just happened. My father used to speak about women with such pride, I used to think there’s something wrong with my dad because the rest of the world, I was hearing all the other stuff…”

Watch

https://youtu.be/GcnYuA-zp3Q

Tumi Morake’s nomination award nod a huge deal

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake and Martin Bester have been nominated for the Liberty Radio Award for their Jacaranda show. This is in the Best Breakfast Show Presenter category and Best Breakfast Show category.

Tumi’s nomination comes barely two weeks after she left the show.

Woes at Jacaranda FM

It is a reminder that she beat the odds in a really hostile environment. Two months after Tumi joined the station she was hauled to the BCCSA after she stood her ground during a debate about Steve Hofmeyr, and for comments she made about Apartheid.

During the debacle Tumi revealed that ever since she joined the station she was subjected to racial slurs.

Jacaranda FM stood by Tumi during the ordeal but it didn’t stop trolls from harassing her online. She was later cleared of hate speech accusations by the BCCSA.

Her nomination thus gives her more reason to be stand tall.

Tumi was over the moon at her nomination and congratulated Martin before reflecting on what the nomination meant to her.

Tumi Morake resigns from Jacaranda FM

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake has resigned from Jacaranda FM in what she says is to pursue other ventures.

She expressed this in her morning show, saying that her career is taking a new direction.

“My performance career is taking a new direction and unfortunately radio, with the time and energy it requires at this level, it doesn’t fit into those plans. I had a great time and learnt many valuable lessons, yes, even when the pawpaw hit the fan. I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Tumi said.

She hopes that one day she will find her way back to radio.

“This was not an easy decision for me at all. The timing was just not right for this relationship, it is like leaving a lover that you are still in love with. I really hope that fate will bring us back together again one day.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfu7Cc4HqOu/

Jacaranda FM’s general manager Kevin Fine said they were sad to see Tumi go, and were glad they have worked with her.

Tumi joined Jacaranda FM breakfast team on 3rd July, 2017, alongside Martin Bester.

Her short time at the radio station came with a lot of controversy. In September 2017, Tumi got into trouble for comparing apartheid to a bully taking a child’s bicycle.

Jacaranda FM issued a statement offering full support to her.

Tumi’s last official day on air will be on the 9th of March, 2018. Martin Bester will continue on with the help of Liesl Laurie and Elma Smit.

Tumi Morake makes biggest TV move

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake currently has one of the successful talk shows on TV.

Viewers will now get to see her on another TV show come 9th February.

Tumi will team up with comedian Alan Committee in a new season of Red Cake.

In the show, she will challenge local celebrities to traditional games, before interviewing and featuring them.

Tumi also hosts WTFTumi, on SABC3.

She will have two shows running at the same time.

Tumi Morake speaks on Car Crash

Posted on by Molly Mwangi

Comedian Tumi Morake has expressed her gratitude that everyone, including her own family escaped with their lives after they were involved in a head-on collision last Friday.

Tumi and her family were traveling on the R556 outside of Rustenberg in the North-West Province when the collision occurred. Paramedics on the scene said ten people were injured in the crash.

Speaking out for the first time about the accident, Tumi said she was grateful that it was not worse.

Tumi added that everyone who were involved in the crash was on the road to recovery.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for all your well wishes and support. Everyone involved in the accident is well on the mend, we are keeping up with each other’s progress. It is a miracle no lives were lost. Thank you to the Almighty, thank you.”

Tumi and her family were taken to hospital after the car crash where they were given medical attention.

The comedian and her family were on their way to their family vacation when the accident occurred.

Tumi Morake apologises for down syndrome ‘joke’

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Tumi Morake has issued a public apology. This comes after insensitive comments she made about down syndrome earlier this year, were rebroadcast in a comedy roast battle.

A mother whose child suffers from down syndrome called Tumi out on social media.

“Dear Tumi‚ last night on Comedy Central Africa‚ they played your roast battle. I was very very disappointed to hear you say your opponent was two p***y klaps away from having down syndrome. As a parent of a child with down syndrome this was hurtful and just unacceptable‚” the woman said on Instagram.

Because of this, Tumi issued a statement, apoligising for her remarks.

Apology

“A while ago we did the roast comedy battle and in the height of insulting each other I used down syndrome in a punchline. I apologise unreservedly for my comments. I do not condone in any way the discrimination against or the ignorance around people with DS‚” she said.

Tumi went on to add:

“My niece also has down syndrome. It was a comedy environment‚ I wasn’t thinking‚ we were just going for the punch‚ I apologise unreservedly. It won’t make it right but I hope you hear that I acknowledge the insensitivity of it. I hope you can forgive me. I have just watched the clip back and you have every right to be upset. Again‚ it really was not out to discriminate or hurt.

“I will do whatever it takes to make it right‚ I was not out to harm‚ and I own up to how hurtful‚ thoughtless‚ harmful and ignorant it was. I will do my best make it right‚ and it will be as public as the way the offence came.”

Down syndrome joke

Early this year, media personality faced the wrath of parents after he said he was feeling ‘Down syndrome-ish.’ This was during his afternoon drive show on East Coast Radio. The station had to pay R30,000 as fine to the BCCSA.

Advertiser cuts ties with Jacaranda FM following Tumi Morake’s comments

Posted on by Purity Lisa

It has almost been a week since media personality Tumi Morake made comments deemed as racist by many.

The discussion came about as a result of the cancellation of Steve Hofmeyr’s appearances in New Zealand and quickly turned into a discussion about culture and the apartheid legacy.

According to Centurion news website, Morake apparently said that white people were bullies on the playground that stole bicycles from black people, and instead of being punished for the theft, they now had to share the bike and play together.

The Huffington Post now reports that Pretoria-based furniture business, Eric Barnard Meubels, has pulled its advertising from Jacaranda FM because they do not want to be associated with a station that“gets involved with politics and mix it with business”.

Marius Barnard, who is a manager and director of the store, confirmed to the publication that they had informed the station of their intention to cut ties on Monday, after a business relationship that has lasted over 25 years.

Barnard is reported as saying, “comments made by that lady [Tumi Morake] are very racial and political… I cannot associate with a station that takes one side,” before adding “by taking away the advertising, we are saying enough is enough.”

Barnard then went on to retort that he is not racist as his children “have black friends”and that black people should “stop saying we [white people] are to blame for their problems.”

Tumi Morake accused of racism

Posted on by Purity Lisa

Media personality Tumi Morake found herself at the centre of discussion in regard to an opinion she gave regarding conversations surrounding culture.

The conversation started after a concert in New Zealand featuring Steve Hofmeyr was cancelled, due to expat protests. They spoke to African-European Indaba founder Johan de Villiers who said that Hofmeyr represented was not what the majority of Afrikaans in South Africa represent.

In the audio, Morake mentions how emotional she gets by the way these conversations about culture tend to go. She says that conversations that involve certain groups should leave her people out of it. She further says that because this is about a group of people that Steve Hofmeyr represents, it should not be about black people.

During the breakfast show today morning, Morake spoke on the issue and said she had nothing to be sorry for.

Tumi Morake and Martin Bester

Jacaranda FM released a statement saying:

Jacaranda FM supports a non-racial society and does not condone hate speech in any form on its platform or in any part of our society. The station’s on-air content aims to promote important and meaningful discussions, with the intention of building and uniting South Africa as a nation. We support the need to have these conversations which we believe is an important part of our role in society. We are further committed to allowing the expression of different viewpoints and perspectives by facilitating these conversations.

Kevin Fine, the station’s general manager said, “Jacaranda FM is a part of a richly diverse community of South Africa and we are committed to being a home for fun, music, entertainment, sharing of information, and the sharing of views. As with any home, sometimes these conversations and views can be uncomfortable. But, for as long as they are necessary we will always be a place where they can live.”