Just under a year after taking the reigns as one of the breakfast show hosts on Jacaranda FM, Tumi Morake announced today that she will officially be hanging up her mic.
The star explains that in order to grow professionally, she has had to make some sacrifices and, unfortunately, this is one of them. “My performance career is taking a new direction and unfortunately radio, with the time and energy it requires at this level, 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,” says Tumi. “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 together again one day.”
Tumi explains that she is working on a movie with her husband, Mpho Osei-Tutu; continuing with her TV presenting on her successful talk show ‘WTF Tumi’; an international stand-up tour in Australia; a new stand-up show with Ndumiso Lindi and a number of other exciting ventures that will be announced through the year.
Jacaranda FM General Manager Kevin Fine says: “Tumi’s energy, wit, warmth and professionalism impacted positively from day one. We are glad to have been part of her first venture into radio – she is an incredible talent and pours herself 100% into everything she takes on. We are sad to see her go but we understand and respect her decision. She will always have a home here at Jacaranda FM.”
Tumi’s ride on Jacaranda FM hasn’t been an easy one. Last year, after speaking openly and honestly about her views on race, the star was involved in a scandal after using an analogy of a stolen bicycle as a way to express her views on the effects Apartheid and it’s oppression had on black people in South Africa. “You broke down a people on skin colour before you build them up. You are now saying they must just share with everybody and be friends with everybody,” Morake said on the show. “It’s like a child whose bicycle was taken forcefully away from him and then you say to the bully, ‘no, no, no, share the bike together, don’t be like that.'”
The backlash saw countless threats made against Tumi and hundreds of thousands of rands in advertising was pulled from the station. However, Jacaranda FM firmly stood by Tumi and her beliefs which was an incredible thing.
Tumi’s last day on the station will be on 9 March. Martin Bester will continue to host the Jacaranda FM breakfast show, ably supported by Liesl Laurie and Elma Smit.
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