Bio
Tumie Letsoenyo is a South African dancer best known as one of the Top 16 contestants on the second season of the SABC1 reality competition So You Think You Can Dance, in 2010.
So You Think You Can Dance Q&A
City
Klipspruit ext 2, Soweto Johannesburg
Profession
Professional dancer, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, dance activist, performer, mentor
Dance history
She started dancing in 2009 with Somizi Mhlongo and has worked with acclaimed artists such as Joyous Celebration, Will Smith, TKZEE, The Parlotones, Zebra & Giraffe, KB, Lebo Mathaso, Ntando, Busi Mhlongo, Thandiswa, Kabelo Mabalane, Debbie Rakusin, Tanya Norman, Lizha James and she has travelled extensively for her dancing.
Why should she be SA's favourite dancer
Tumie is a versatile confident performer who is dedicated and entertaining
Favourite dance genre
Kwaito dance fusion and hip hop
Dance accolades/trophies/titles
Principal dancer at Buyani Productions. She was the top 3 runner up of Channel O Dance Africa 2008.
What would she do with the prize money?
Tumie would like to use the money to invest in a car and property. She would also like to invest in her own business and assist a child financially with school fees.
What makes her stand out in the competition?
She would bring her professionalism and commitment to the South African dance industry to spur other dancers to maximise their potential within an industry that has the ability to be very profitable.
Family background
She comes from a loving family of three children which has encouraged her to be courageous and appreciate life. She has studied a CA degree in communications and plans to study for her MBA next year. She enjoys going out to parks, gardens, tea parties, attending business meetings and living life to the full.
Audition process
Auditioned in her city
Profession if not dancing
It would interest her to work within the communications field such as magazine, news reading, doing adverts for tv & radio, in fashion, advertising or to take her own business globally.
Impression of the South African dance scene
She perceives the SA dance scene to be alive with possibility and spearheaded by a few dancers for the upcoming dance generation.
What would winning So You Think You Can Dance mean to Tumie?
It would be a beautiful gateway to the rest of her life where she can be an inspiration to motivate other dancers around the country.
Inspiration
Tumie is inspired by her pastor, his family, Gregory Magomax, Sibongile Ngubane, Basetsana Kumalo, Florence Makwakwa, Pat Francis, her mother and people's lives.
Challenges faced
The change which was brought about by her parents divorce helped make her a better person.
What makes her happy
Positive people, praising God, praying, counselling young girls around her township, going for walks, meeting powerful people as prepared for her by God, gearing herself towards her destiny, making people laugh, talking to people, encouraging people.
Message for potential fans
She would like to communicate to fans that God is real, change is good and that he is the God of second change and most importantly for her that you can make it if you always keep dreaming and knowing your rightful purpose in life. Her message is: "South Africa, please let me dance for you – Soweto ngi cela ugu jana".
South African charity close to her heart
Charities close to Tumie's heart are girl scout clubs, Christian church developments, women's development associations around South Africa, breast cancer charities, women etiquette institutions and Dthandweni children's home in Soweto.