Johannesburg - Tumi Morake. Celeste Ntuli. Anne Hirsch. What do these names have in common? Well, they are some of many women fast making their mark as forces to be reckoned with, one joke at a time.
These women, along with five others listed below, have become renowned for their work as comediennes and actresses and are proof that women can be funnier and crazier than their male counterparts.
Tumi Morake
Topping the list of course is the incomparable Tumi Morake, who's made her mark as SA's "First Lady of Comedy".
Morake has been making people laugh for many years, from her hilarious Vodacom ad to her work on the popular Mzansi Magic show "Our Perfect Wedding".
While Morake is known for her comedic work, she has also impressed South Africans with her dramatic roles in shows like The Queen.
She also has her own show called #WTFTumi and co-hosts the breakfast show on Jacaranda FM.
*Source: http://www.tumimorake.co.za/
Brenda Ngxoli
Brenda Ngxoli is well-known for her amazing work in drama and comedy.
Ngxoli first made waves during her stint on TV shows Tsha Tsha, Rockville and Home Affairs, which was nominated for an international Emmy Award.
In addition to her serious roles, Ngxoli has hosted the popular wedding show "Our Perfect Wedding" and has done numerous hilarious skits on YouTube, which feature her as various characters.
*Source: www.tvsa.co.za
Suzelle DIY
Another funnywoman making the list is Julia Anastasopoulos, better known as Suzelle DIY.
Anastasopoulos is a well-known actress, illustrator and comedian, who rose to fame after hosting her own web series Suzelle DIY on YouTube.
The show has been a massive success, being featured Comedy Central, and helped launch her as a force to be reckoned with.
*Source: www.sapeople.com/
Celeste Ntuli
Of course no list would be complete without funnywoman Celeste Ntuli. Ntuli is known both for her comedic work as well as acting, having been on the popular Mzansi Magic show Isibaya.
Ntuli, hailed as the queen of Zulu comedy, first came to audiences attention when she featured on the SABC 2 show "So You Think You're Funny".
Since then, her star has risen and apart from her work on Isibaya, Ntuli has amassed a series of awards and nominations.
*Source: http://www.celestentuli.co.za/
undefinedAnne Hirsch
The Bloemfontein-born performer is best known for her stand-up work and her turn as co-host of The Great South African Bake Off on BBC Lifestyle.
Hirsch is the 2009 winner of the SABC's "So You Think You're Funny" and also has her own YouTube webseries titled The Anne Hirsch Show.
*Source: http://www.annehirsch.co.za
Mel Jones
Another woman making waves for her work in the comedy industry is MC and comedienne Mel Jones.
Born and raised in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, Jones is a regular at the Cape Town Comedy Club.
The stand-up woman is best known for her work on SABC 3's Comedy Showcase as well as Comedy Central.
*Source: http://meljones.co.za/
When you make them clap & it sounds like they actually like you... Now that! https://t.co/LiWRRp5jrc
— Mel Jones (@MelJonesComic) June 29, 2017
Lillian Dube
TV legend and comedic actress Lillian Dube has left South Africans in stitches for years.
She is renowned for her work on shows such as Soul City and Generations and her work in numerous sitcoms including Skwizas as well as SABC 2's Mponeng.
Dube has also featured in numerous films, including There's a Zulu on my Stoep.
*Source: www.tvsa.co.za/
Jailoshini Naidoo
Last, but certainly not least, another one of SA's funniest women is none other than Jailoshini Naidoo, best known for her role in Keeping up with the Kandasamys.
The KZN-born comedian shot to fame following her work as a continuity presenter on M-Net as well as being featured on the Queens of Comedy.
Naidoo is the recipient of numerous awards, including two awards at the Mercury Durban Theatre Awards in November 2011 for "Theatre Personality of the Year" and "Best Comedy performance by a Female".
*Source: http://jailoshininaidoo.co.za/