SIV NGESI - BREAKING IN HEELS AND BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES

21 Aug

Siv Ngesi isn’t your typical first choice for a business/workspace podcast presenter - he’s upfront, in your face, 100% authentically and unapologetically himself. The always fabulous and oftentimes controversial actor, tv personality, motivator and women’s rights activist Siv Ngesi, was, therefore, the perfect fit for our podcast, Worklife Matters.

“It really is an unbelievable experience being the host of Worklife Matters, just walking into the Workshop17 environment actually inspires me and makes me feel like I can end every single problem in the world. The guests are really engaging and I wish that I could spend hours with them, so it’s an honour and a privilege. I always feel like the podcast adds to my life and makes me be a better person and a better South African.” boasts Siv.

When he’s not recording our podcast in Studio17, he’s busy. Busy breaking down societal norms in his heels, pole dancing or with his alter drag personality, “Sivanna”. The performer first shared a video of himself strutting his stuff on the dance floor in nothing but a South African speedo, on instagram, saying.

“Many Xhosa men have had an issue with me pole dancing, so I thought I would pole dance in heels and give them something a little extra to have an issue with! Don’t forget, I can still kick ass while wearing these heels.”

2021 was a busy year for Siv, while the world was reeling from a collective state of Covid shock, this South Afri-CAN comedian was delivering. From taking home Gold in the 2021 Pole Dancing Nationals SA Pole Sports Federation in the semi professional men category (after only 9 months of training), to the unveiling of his drag persona to the world with a perfectly choreographed video (with the help of friend and well-known Cape Town drag queen and 'SA’s Got Talent' finalist, Manila Von Teez) of him getting into geish* As a hetrosexual man, he views this as another outlet for his creativity and self-expression and a way to support the LGBTQ+ community.

*a colloquial term for getting into drag

Siv puts his money where his mouth is, and it’s loud. As Co-founder and Director of MENstruation, he’s making it his mission to end period poverty in SA, by providing all school-going girls with free sanitary wear.

He believes, “If men bled once a month, sanitary products would be free. Condoms are free… it is a failure of justice.”

If it’s candid you’re after, a long hard look in the mirror and that’s what Siv brings to the table - industry know-how, hard knocks, insight, emotional intelligence and humour, if anyone knows how Worklife Matters, this is the man.

While we might not all be gifted in the core strength department and look as elegant as Siv on a pole, the good news is that anyone, and we’re talking anyone can pole dance, here are some of the awesome benefits and where you can find your closest pole.