In TuneTumi Stopnonsons aka Jumaima, is a young comedian
Born Tumelo Enoch Matila, on the 23rd of March 1992, Tumi Stopnonsons aka Jumaima, is a young comedian taking comedy to new and greater heights.
From a distance, one would think his career has been fast tracked by connections and friends in the industry , but like many success stories, the road to victory has had its challenges. Tumi’s story is that of a dollar and a dream , having gone from homeless, to owning his own home in just a year.
Raised in a Christian home, in Lawley Estate, a small township, located in the south of Johannesburg, the love of the entertainment was evident from a young age. Having participated in school stage plays and concerts, the stage became a home to nurture his talent. By 2002, at the tender age of ten, Tumi had said his prayers, and made a decision to be a stand-up comedian.
Following the media and entertainment route however, is not often favoured by parents, and so he too, studied full-time after completing his matric. But like a light, it was clear to see where Tumi’s heart lies, as the now qualified Information Technology specialist, was advised by lecturers to stir up the gift within him, as he was always the MC and speaker at college events.
Taking a leap of faith, he pursued comedy, with roadblocks, winds and no guarantees.
Tumi relates his story here , “In the beginning was not easy as I had to travel from one gig to another just to perform for unpaid spots because in this industry you need a lot of exposure in order to make success of your career. I remember that sometimes I could not even afford to pay a driver to take me to the venue, and I had to make sleeping arrangements with total strangers! ’’
It was a parody video of SABC Show’s Khumbulekhaya, with him, acting as the long lost son of Patrice Motsepe, that caught the attention of audiences all over South Africa. That video, and the ones that have followed, have propelled the bookings from various major events, corporate functions, churches and more. With experienced gained he has shared the stage with big names in the industry, such as Loyiso Gola, Trevor Gumbi, David Kibuuka, Soli Philander, Chris Forrest, The Soil, Basket Mouth (Nigeria), Kansiime Anne (Uganda), HHP, Harrison Crump (USA), Solly Mahlangu, JR and more.
Most recently, he has had TV appearance on shows like Ba Kae on SABC 2, and Comedy Central on DSTV.
Tumi has gone beyond just performing, to now organising his own Comedy shows , to make create more opportunities for existing and future comedians. His first comedy event , took place at Carnival City Mardi Gras on 8 July 2016 , titled, ‘Blessers Economic Empowerment Comedy Show”. The BEE Comedy was sold-out, and trended on Twitter for 2 days ! The BEE Comedy series is an events project that he will be taking all over South Africa, featuring with a top notch line-up.
With this much drive, and ambition , it is plain to see that Tumi Stopnonsons is unstoppable !
STAGE ACHIEVEMENTS
● Mzansi Gospel Comedian of the year 2015
● Best Runner-up actor (Hillbrow Theatre Drama Festival 2008)
● Best Cameo role actor (Hillbrow Theatre Drama Festival 2009)
● Runner-up Comedian (Parker’s Comedy Comikaze competition 2014)
● Best Performance (Comedy Central Open Mic Competition 2015)
● Independent Gospel Music Awards (Best Gospel Comedian 2015 Nominee 2015)
● SA Awards (Best Comedian Of The Year nominee 2015)
From a distance, one would think his career has been fast tracked by connections and friends in the industry , but like many success stories, the road to victory has had its challenges. Tumi’s story is that of a dollar and a dream , having gone from homeless, to owning his own home in just a year.
Raised in a Christian home, in Lawley Estate, a small township, located in the south of Johannesburg, the love of the entertainment was evident from a young age. Having participated in school stage plays and concerts, the stage became a home to nurture his talent. By 2002, at the tender age of ten, Tumi had said his prayers, and made a decision to be a stand-up comedian.
Following the media and entertainment route however, is not often favoured by parents, and so he too, studied full-time after completing his matric. But like a light, it was clear to see where Tumi’s heart lies, as the now qualified Information Technology specialist, was advised by lecturers to stir up the gift within him, as he was always the MC and speaker at college events.
Taking a leap of faith, he pursued comedy, with roadblocks, winds and no guarantees.
Tumi relates his story here , “In the beginning was not easy as I had to travel from one gig to another just to perform for unpaid spots because in this industry you need a lot of exposure in order to make success of your career. I remember that sometimes I could not even afford to pay a driver to take me to the venue, and I had to make sleeping arrangements with total strangers! ’’
It was a parody video of SABC Show’s Khumbulekhaya, with him, acting as the long lost son of Patrice Motsepe, that caught the attention of audiences all over South Africa. That video, and the ones that have followed, have propelled the bookings from various major events, corporate functions, churches and more. With experienced gained he has shared the stage with big names in the industry, such as Loyiso Gola, Trevor Gumbi, David Kibuuka, Soli Philander, Chris Forrest, The Soil, Basket Mouth (Nigeria), Kansiime Anne (Uganda), HHP, Harrison Crump (USA), Solly Mahlangu, JR and more.
Most recently, he has had TV appearance on shows like Ba Kae on SABC 2, and Comedy Central on DSTV.
Tumi has gone beyond just performing, to now organising his own Comedy shows , to make create more opportunities for existing and future comedians. His first comedy event , took place at Carnival City Mardi Gras on 8 July 2016 , titled, ‘Blessers Economic Empowerment Comedy Show”. The BEE Comedy was sold-out, and trended on Twitter for 2 days ! The BEE Comedy series is an events project that he will be taking all over South Africa, featuring with a top notch line-up.
With this much drive, and ambition , it is plain to see that Tumi Stopnonsons is unstoppable !
STAGE ACHIEVEMENTS
● Mzansi Gospel Comedian of the year 2015
● Best Runner-up actor (Hillbrow Theatre Drama Festival 2008)
● Best Cameo role actor (Hillbrow Theatre Drama Festival 2009)
● Runner-up Comedian (Parker’s Comedy Comikaze competition 2014)
● Best Performance (Comedy Central Open Mic Competition 2015)
● Independent Gospel Music Awards (Best Gospel Comedian 2015 Nominee 2015)
● SA Awards (Best Comedian Of The Year nominee 2015)
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