‘Asking someone what their favourite travel destination is, is like asking Zuma who his favourite wife is! But for me, it definitely has to be Cuba.’ Siv Ngesi is a bundle of fun and tongue-in-cheek humour. But the actor and media personality can get serious too. We asked him some questions about where he likes to travel, and he lets us in on a secret: He hates yachts and sand.
Loves the outdoors, does not love taking boring photos.
‘Tavel makes you feel uncomfortable and uneasy at times, that’s the special thing about it. With Cuba felt like I travelled to another time!’ he says. ‘I was able to hire a Cadillac from 1955, and had to (illegally!) buy wifi coupons because they didn’t have wifi in most places.’
Cuba sounds fantastic, but what we all really want to know, is what his favourite destination in South Africa is. ‘Port St John and Coffee Bay, the whole Eastern Cape is an unbelievable treasure. My people are from there,’ he says, adding proudly that he is isiXhosa. ‘Beautiful, warm water, beautiful people, cows on the beaches, it’s like a postcard.’
Why does he travel? Siv says it’s one of his favourite questions. ‘I travel to meet myself, and to develop parts of myself that tend to get left behind in day-to-day life. Travelling has taught me that we are all the same, it is an equalising force.
Some have called him ‘cheeky.’
He doesn’t have one particular favourite kind of holiday, but says he doesn’t ‘mind’ the beach. But what he really enjoys, is getting into the water. He’s a keen scuba diver and freediver. As long as he doesn’t have to lie on the beach, because he hates sand. And yachts. While the term conjures up romantic images of staring into the sunset with a glass of sparkling wine for most, Siv says it’s not for him. ‘I hate being confined to one place!’
Siv loves all kinds of watersports. Here, kayaking with his friend Nompakamiso Hude.
Not only is Siv a passionate traveller, he cares deeply about rhino conservation. He recently witnessed a rhino de-horning, an experienced that touched him deeply. ‘With an estimate 9 995 Rhinos poached in the last decade, the plight of the rhino is one that the world needs to listen to,’ he says.
‘Worth more than gold per gram, the rhino horn is in demand, yet has proven to have absolutely no value for medicinal purposes (nor any other purposes) – its keratin, nothing more than your nails on your hand and feet.’
Aside from being a social justice activist, Siv also aims to help combat rhino poaching.
What’s next for this all-rounder? He’s busy planning a trip to Cambodia. ‘When I say “plan” I mean, I’m getting a backpack and booking a flight. I’ll see what happens when I get there.’
Pictures: Siv Ngesi
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