09/08/2025
Tsietsi Matlakala is an award-winning MC, stand-up comedian, theatre practitioner, and filmmaker whose vibrant career spans more than a decade in South Africa’s entertainment and creative arts industry. He first gained national recognition as the runner-up in the inaugural season of the SABC1 reality show So You Think You're Funny in 2009. A seasoned stage performer, Matlakala began his journey in theatre as an actor before expanding into writing and directing, earning a Naledi Award for Best Community Theatre Production in 2008.
A dynamic and sought-after MC, he has hosted a wide range of events—from corporate functions and government ceremonies to weddings, seminars, and cultural festivals—bringing humour, charisma, and professionalism to every stage. His television appearances include SABC1 My First, SABC2 Comedy Cabin, and SABC3 Funtix, alongside numerous engagements on various radio platforms.
Off-screen, Matlakala is a dedicated filmmaker and philanthropist. His YouTube-based social reality documentaries, Hlalanikahle: A Story of Hope and The People of Emalahleni, explore community resilience and social issues with empathy and authenticity. He is the founder of the Hlalanikahle Library of Hope Arts & Culture Class and has led impactful community initiatives, including food drives and blanket donations for the elderly. His contributions to social development have earned him prestigious accolades, including the South African Youth Award (2018) and the Mpumalanga Men’s Achievement Award (2022).
His documentary film The People of Emalahleni has been selected for the Emalahleni Film Festival 2025
Through comedy, storytelling, and purposeful community work, Tsietsi Matlakala continues to uplift, inspire, and make a meaningful impact.