Siv Ngesi

Siv and I sat down at the Kauai in Canal Walk, you know; a couple of 'brews' grabbing a 'brew'!☕ His energy is so captivating, positive and and uplifting, the caffeine was almost unnecessary. Siv is the epitome of someone devoted to their dream, a man with an abundance of multifaceted talent and drive, underpinned by a confident humbleness.

His 'Grande' resume speak for itself☕ A few titles include Women King, 24, Tali's wedding diaries, Bhai's Cafe, Winging it, The Man Cave and Dam, to name but a few! I'm sure most of us have seen him light up our screens whether 'in character', or entertaining us as SIV. Siv also a SAFTA winning presenter, my man!

Right, lets brew some FilmJava! ☕🎬

For our readers, can you give a very brief synopsis of you and your story? 

My name is Sivuyile Ngesi, I am an actor, comedian, and TV presenter. I've been involved in drama, theatre, and various other creative pursuits since the age of seven. I started doing 'paid' work at the age of nine. While I love performing and being in front of camera, my ultimate goal is to be remembered for changing the world.

Do you have a first memory or encounter with performing that ignited a passion? 

I must be honest, I was always told I was special and different growing up (He laughs). I was always very keen to be the centre of attention, the performer! My mother guided me, emphasising the responsibility that comes with my special talent and unique persona. I used to love entertaining, especially in class, which got me into a lot of ‘kak’!

Was there ever a “This is my big break” moment?

I think the older I get, the less I feel that way, to be honest. When I booked Women King, I thought that was it. It humbles you, man; this industry is the most humbling experience. When I did 24, I thought that was my big break, and even when I travelled the world at the age of nine, I thought that was it. This industry is like running on a treadmill; you are continuously running, pushing, and moving. Regardless of the job, I just want to give my absolute everything. I'm trying to unlearn the mindset of having a 'big break' moment.

What do you believe sets a truly memorable performance apart from others?

 Truth, authenticity, and consistency. There's just something about TRUTH.  At the same time, you have to be entertaining! 

What were your toughest moment(s) becoming an actor? 

There were times when I was watching myself on peak television with no money to buy food. It doesn't feel any different to watch yourself act when you have an empty bank account, or a million rand.

If you weren't a performer what would you be? 

A bum! It's either this or nothing. The only Plan B is to enforce Plan A. My mother had an unwavering belief in me. Living a life without her in it is so much more difficult; I miss having the person who believed in me as much as she did. I'm willing to lose it all as long as I'm entertaining. I want to make it clear, there are many people more talented than me; this job is about marketing and making sure your talents are seen and heard. It means nothing if no one sees it!

What do you think you would have lost if you gave up? 

I think I would have lost my true self and my purpose. There's something about entertainment that lights up my soul.

What is your most relished piece of work? 

I did a short film a long time ago called Dear Sister. I had a crazy emotional connection to it, and it really touched me deeply. I want to be uncomfortable. ''Sometimes acting is like the bounce of a rugby ball; you don't know where it's going to bounce; you just have to play the bounce''.

Favourite piece of cinema? 

Green Mile.  This big towering black man in these gripping, emotive scenes. That is and was, magical. Or Mystic River, There's a scene where Sean Penn says ‘is that my daughter, is that my daughter! Sean Penn never does the same thing twice, and I resonate with that. I try to keep it uncomfortable. As long as it's authentic and real. I love it when a performance takes me into the deep. I repeat, there are many performers more talented than I am, but I will outwork the f*ck 1out of them!

Best and worst parts of being in the industry?

I do love the attention, I won't lie! But I struggle with compliments, I really do. My mother's compliments used to mean the world to me. Now, compliments mean less to me than they have ever meant.

What movie and/or TV show most accurately depicts your life story? 

I don't think there are any... perhaps, This Is Us, the story of a black man in a white world, this resonates in some ways, a story about discovery. Its a story of a black guy with big features, 'jacked', emotional and crying often. And I think that's me. I'm an emotional human in this big muscular body, but there is so much more to me.

For our readers out there thinking of throwing in the towel, were there moments you felt like giving up? How did you get through those? 

No F*cking  way! I would rather lose it all. One thing I learned from an early age is that the more you stay in it, the more others give up! Now, there are more and more parts the older I get! KEEP ON GOING! Keep pushing; there will be fewer people, and you will be better!

Can you leave our readers with one piece of inspiration/advice/motivation? 

What people think about you has got nothing to do with you! If you get to the sweet spot and stop caring about what people think, that's where the magic's at! Once you start realising what think of yourself is what matters, that's where the sweet spot is.

We put the JAVA in FilmJava!

Our caffeination-station of choice was the Kauai in Canal Walk. I wont say much, its Kauai! We actually brewed this cup of FilmJava a couple of weeks later. It was after we did some work together, a self-tape. Love them or hate them, they are here to stay. It was awesome seeing the man in action. His acting is brave and free, a place where magic comes to life!