Meet the Minister of Laughter
JOBURG - A new cabinet was sworn in ahead of a national tour that will take politics and comedy "from grassroots to gravy train".
Newly-appointed Minister of Hormones, Carbohydrates and Calmettes, Tumi Morake, shared her take on the state of the nation, her new role, and her place in the Nando’s presents Mass Hysteria comedy tour.
“Where are we [as a nation], indeed? Are we done with renovations? Are we over ‘it’ yet? Is Julius growing on us like a rash, or is he the rash in government’s pants?” asked Morake.
“I don’t know, I don’t know. Ask the president,” she said.
The stand-up comedienne was sworn into ‘office’ alongside Public Attacker, John Vlismas and Single Fathers and Roads Minister, Mpho Popps, among others, and promised “with fist over heart and peri-peri chicken wing in hand” to make South Africa a funnier place.
“There are certain facets of life that we take for granted; certain things which, if left unchecked, leave a nation lobotomised, apathetic and unpatriotic – the horrible opposite being a nation that is irrational, emotional and militant,” she said.
“My portfolio is to split the difference and keep us in check – through things that matter. Our healthy hormone levels, our intake of comfort carbs, and a generous dose of Calmettes in times of conflict.”
Commenting on how South Africans still battle with being politically correct, Morake said that, while we get the idea of integration right, we’ve got the concept of empowerment wrong.
In keeping with her ministerial oath, in which she swore to hold office with honour and humour and to perform the functions of office with half-hearted vigour, Morake said audiences can expect “laughter, honesty, rudeness, bluntness, choice racism and proud South Africanness” from her on the comedy tour.
Mental Health, Sunday Lunch and Personal Hygiene Minister, Nik Rabinowitz; Non-Human Settlements Minister, Chester Missing; Haircare, Skincare and Aponea Minister, Joey Rasdien; and Culture Minister Ndumiso Lindi will join Morake, Vlismas and Popps on the tour.
Nando’s presents Mass Hysteria will run from 6 until 9 August at The Teatro, Montecasino, Fourways, followed by a 14 August show at Port Elizabeth’s Boardwalk International Convention Centre, and a 10 until 13 September run at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre.
Details: Computicket 0861 915 8000; https://bit.ly/NandosMassHysteria
