While We as Woman are celebrated throughout the month of August, what a better way to enjoy being a woman sharing in Tumi Morake's surely to be hilariously told -
'Herstory' of her life as a Woman comedian for more than half a decade now. Catch her #HERstory show this weekend.
This is what she says about Herself:
"HERstory is a celebration of all my work in stand-up in the past six years, so I'll be talking about a number of things," she says.
"For instance, I have always been interested in race.
''Like how there are still people who want to say: 'Oh, the past was so long ago, things have changed now.' I don't know if they are in denial or just jumping the gun. You can't jump from being a sub-race to being an equal.
"I'm just starting to regain my self-esteem as a black person and there are still certain teachings that need to be unlearnt."
As strong as her views are on race, Morake doesn't beat the audience over the head with talks of injustices. "I also come from the perspective of a woman on a lot of issues," she continues, "so I won't be out there talking about things I don't know about."
She knows plenty about being a working wife and mother of three-year-old and four-month-old boys.
"My kids only cropped up recently, but naturally, they are a big part of Tumi, so they might also be talked about in the show."
In keeping with the real, this hilarious comedian who's keen for a laugh even in conversation says she and her husband, actor Mpho Osei-Tutu, had a talk about how much of her life she bared on stage.
"This thing of the truth is some- thing my husband encouraged. It's like with Richard Pryor; why do we love him so much? Because he told the truth. It was painful, it was good, but it was his truth."
"Truth is funnier than fiction and sometimes when people laugh with you while you're on stage, they are laughing because they can recognise the truth in what you're saying and relate.
"The stuff I say isn't scandalous, so I've never had to rein myself in, but another chick who is married to a foreigner can listen to me and go, 'I know exactly what she's talking about.'"
This can also be attributed to a lesson she learnt when she was carving out her niche in the funny industry. "The one thing I wish I knew back then is to not ask the audience if what you're saying is not just in words but in your approach. If you're not sure about a gag, rather not do it."
Morake says she's grateful for the support women have given her not just during Women's Month.
''I used to be adamant that I didn't want to be known as a female comedian. I just wanted to be called a comedian. There's merit in that. There's merit in being the voice of women in this cacophony of male comedians.
"And I just want to thank South African women for not being bitchy. Even women who have never seen me on stage before show me love the moment I step into the room. I'm in awe of the love they give me and I really appreciate it."
Who doesn't want real love?
• Catch Tumi Morake in HERstory at the Lyric Theater Gold reef city.
Reflect SA mODELS magazine
