Just Call Me Superman

Comedian and TV presenter Siv Ngesi talks about his new one-man show, his hot bod and making a difference

- Kim Abrahams

THE words on the promotional poster for his new one-man show read: “Big ego, big heart” – and it’s a description he’s only too happy to have applied to him.

But it’s clear within a few minutes of meeting the fast-talking funnyman that the phrase is woefully incomplete. “Big pecs” should be in there too.

Siv Ngesi is in the best shape of his life and he’s damn proud of it, we discover when we meet the 31-year-old comedian at the Arts Café at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre Centre.

Buffed up and bubbling with enthusiasm for life, he cheerfully opens up about a variety of topics: what he’s up to professionally, the importance of a good body image and his desire to make a difference in the world.

His stories are interesting and often downright hilarious. Fail to pay attention and you’ll miss out on the quips he lobs into the mix mid-conversation.

Siv’s schedule would make most people’s heads spin: there’s that upcoming comedy show, numerous TV appearances and a production company to run.

But what he really wants to talk about is much closer to home – underneath his black tank top in fact. His washboard abs. Just don’t call it a six-pack, he says – what he has is an eight-pack.

“Way back when I discovered sex sells, I started working out,” he says. “As a black man in this country you have to have something special, that X factor. For me, it was my personality. But the sex-sells business motivated me to work on my body.

“And I’m telling you, women and men treat you differently when you’re well-built.”

Cape Town-born Siv puts a lot of time into maintaining his fitness and staying healthy and believes it’s important to love your body.

“I have the worst eating habits in the world, but when I train I put in 135%,” he says.