Tumi Morake Speaks On Putting Personal Experiences Into Jokes

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.”