Based: Johannesburg

Thomas Gumede is a South African actor and comedian best known for his role as Siphiwe in the SABC1 drama series A Place Called Home, from 2006-2009.

He is also known for being the co-host of the SABC1 youth talk show The Cypher, which premiered on Thursday 19 July, 2007.

He had a starring role in the SABC1 drama series Bay of Plenty, from 2007-2008. Other television series he has acted in include Gothia Caper, Mthunzini.com, Backstage, Home Affairs and Soul City.

He has performed at numerous live comedy gigs, including the successful 99% Zulu Comedy Show in Durban.

Thomas was the host of the SABC1 reality competition talent show So You Think You’re Funny!, from November 2008 to January 2009. The show stars comedian David Kau who is on a mission to find South Africa’s top unsigned comedic talent.

In 2012 he produced and starred in the Vuzu reality series Forever Young, which follows him and fellow actors Siya Ngwekazi and Lungile Radu as they “follow their hearts and live in the moment in pursuit of their dreams”.

In the same year he was one of the starring cast members of the SABC3 satirical sketch comedy series Sketch U Later.

Also in 2012, he took over from Siyabonga Radebe as the host of the Vuzu docu-reality series Top Shayela.