Bio
Tumi Masemola is a South African actress, singer, producer and businesswoman, best known for playing Letisha in the television sitcom City Ses'la.
Education
Born and raised in the Soweto township of Diepkloof, Masemola attended the Sir John Adamson High School in Winchester Hills, Johannesburg, matriculating with exemption in 1999.
Her matric subjects were Mathematics, Accounting, Physical Science, Biology, English and Afrikaans.
After school she enrolled at the South African School of Motion Picture and Live Performance (AFDA) in Johannesburg, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) in Live Performance and Motion Picture in 2002.
Her major courses were Producing (film and theatre); Acting (film and theatre); and Musical Performance.
Music Career
Masemola is also known as Lady Naturelle, the lead singer in the pop/urban group GI (Gang of Instrumentals).
She is a founding member, co-songwriter and co-producer of GI. The group is signed to Mighty Music Africa.
In 2003 Masemola appeared in a lead role in the Richard Loring production of the musical African Footprint, directed by Sandy Dyer.
Musical Achievements
-SAFTA Golden Horn award for Best soundtrack on TV comedy City Ses’la I in 2006
-Two Channel O nominations for Best Group and Best Newcomer in 2005
- Chart-topping hit track Cry 4 Me from debut album ran on 5fm for four weeks in 2005
Website: www.gang.co.za
Acting Career
Masemola has appeared in numerous television shows including Fela's TV (2004); Home Affairs I and II; and as co-presenter of the 7th Annual Metro FM Music Awards in 2006.
She is best known for her lead role of Letisha in the popular SABC1 sitcom City Ses'la, playing the role in all three seasons to date.
She also appears in a number of music videos with her band GI, including the tracks Cry 4 Me, Salute and Dream Team.
She played a supporting role in the M-Net short film Sibahle in 2006.
Masemola has also appeared in a number of television commercials, including Doritos, FNB, KFC and Virgin Mobile.
Acting Achievements
- SAFTA Golden Horn award for Best Ensemble in a TV comedy, City Ses’la I, 2006.
Behind The Camera
Masemola is the managing director of Black Brain Pictures (a TV and film production company) and of Mighty Music Africa (a record label).
Black Brain Pictures make the sitcom City Ses'la and Masemola is credited as Co-Executive Producer for the first season of the show and as Associate Producer for the next two seasons.
She also produced a commercial for Big Time Sweets in 2004, although that was for production company Afro Sputnik.
Black Brain Pictures produced the short film Sibahle for M-Net in 2006.
Awards
- SAFTA Golden Horn award for Best TV comedy, City Ses’la I, 2006
- SAFTA Golden Horn award for Best Script in a TV comedy, City Ses’la I, 2006
- SAFTA Golden Horn nomination for Best short film, Sibahle, 2006
Website: www.blackbrainpictures.com