10 Questions For: Davey du Plessis

Living with a bullet lodged in his heart after being ambushed and shot on his solo kayaking expedition attempting to navigate the Amazon from source to sea, this passionate adventurer draws from his personal experiences and knowledge to inspire others to explore their unique gifts and potentials.

1. How would you describe what you do for a living?

The simplest description would be that I am a speaker, author and adventurer.

2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
I went into the chicken slaughterhouse on my grandfathers farm. It was haunting seeing the chickens with whom I played, being killed. For a while it was my most vivid childhood memory, but I think I selectively blurred parts of it because it was so haunting, now it remains as the most impactful memory.

3. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?
I would invite my grandmother, my mom and my girlfriend.

There would be no alcohol required, no pleasantries, no one talking about their achievements or personal agendas and no dietary arguments about the raw vegan food we would all eat. We would get right to it and talk about things that mattered. I am fortunate to get these dinners in real life.

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?
‘Celebration’ by Kool & The Gang

5.  How would you complete this sentence?
The South African cabinet should include a Minister of ____________.
‘Doesn’t matter - none of the other ministers get anything done anyways - that goes for all political and controlling bodies'.

6.  What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
Probably that I am brash in conversation, mainly because I am honest in dialogue and willing to challenge and question any ideas, pre-conceived notions or firm beliefs.

7.  What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
Having seen quite a bit of Africa, it is definitely one of the continents most beautiful cities. Although, what makes Cape Town beautiful is its natural surroundings, not the city itself - all cities are just copies of other cities.

8.  What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
Being able to walk a different path with no mentors, no role models or no examples to show the way - to not fear the unknown.

9. What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?
I am not too concerned with any achievements of any kind; I do what I think and feel is right for the time an continuously adjust and adapt. I have learned that what I wanted to achieve changed constantly so I have lost the desires of achievement, legacy, goals or outcomes.

10. Which well-known South African personality would you , without a doubt, be able to beat in a street fight and why?
Fighting accomplishes nothing besides a boost or knock to the ego, so I would not voluntarily fight anyone for any reason.

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ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:

CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-known and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates. 

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

Newlands Station Manager for the Volunteer Wildfire Services: Jon-Jon Emary

Slow Drive Magazine: Guillaume Marias and Nadia Krige

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