Comedian Siv Ngesi produced 13 shows at the festival
AFTER jet-setting around the world for six months, comedian and presenter Siv Ngesi still managed to produce 13 shows at the National Arts Festival, which ended over the weekend.
No stranger to the spotlight, where he believes he belongs, the Cape Town-born Ngesi said he thrived not only on keeping busy, but helping others succeed.
The Wingin’ It co-presenter recently spent six months travelling to 23 countries with fellow South African personality Janez Vermeiren.
In an interview in Grahamstown last week, Ngesi said: “I thrive on working as much as possible.
“For me work becomes life; it’s all about the quality of the life you want.
“If I have R10 in my pocket, R3 of it will go to someone else.
“I am currently helping 13 people,” he said, adding that he believed in each of the 13 shows he produced.
At the age of nine, Ngesi experienced his first taste of success when he was selected to play the role of Gavroshe in Les Miserables which toured internationally.
“With all the travelling I have done there is no constant, the only constant is life and I am enjoying life to the fullest,” said Ngesi.
Growing up in “a household which had nothing but had everything” Ngesi, the youngest of three with two older sisters, said he owed a lot to his single mother.
“My mother might not have had many things, but she does have a lot of knowledge,” he said.
This year Ngesi produced 13 productions for the National Arts Festival including the critically acclaimed show Dangled.
“The most important attribute to any person is authenticity, be true to yourself and others – that is what matters,” he said.
Performing for prominent people such as the late former president Nelson Mandela, Ngesi said he has always been determined to do what others had told him he could not.
“It is about prioritising and knowing what the prize and goal is [and] as long as I make my mother proud,” he said.
Gracing the cover of Men’s Health magazine and a stint as a presenter for SABC lifestyle programme Top Billing, Ngesi said there was no secret to his success.
“It’s hard work, there’s no secret – it’s just hard work,” he said.
Ngesi last year won a converted Ovation Award.
He has been nominated for four Saftas and has won two Naledi awards.
“Working
“It has taken a long time to get here [and] I want to be the most powerful producer in South Africa to create work for people who haven’t got work.
“One day I will create a festival within this [National Arts] Festival,” he said. smart is very important.