10 Questions For: Khanya Siyengo

This GoodHope FM radio presenter, who can also be called Kyeezi or ‘The Tall Wonder’, is also a basketball coach and has an infectious passion for life

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

Amazing, exciting, fun, stressful - constantly challenging all in one. It’s the best mixture. I’m never comfortable, and I am always on my toes. I guess I won’t age too soon then. I love it!

2.  What is your most vivid childhood memory?
Definitely in primary school in the Eastern Cape (I grew up there).  One day, we had a parent and teacher conference (the worst day for a kid like me) and while that happened, we (the kids) had barely anything to do. So I managed to take a soccer ball in one of the teacher’s rooms for all of us to play. In the end, I didn’t even play, I just watched everyone else do it. I sort of had a better time watching everyone have fun.

3.  If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?
Tata Nelson Mandela, Sean Carter aka Jay Z and my dad. It would be a great opportunity for me to say "thank you" to each of them. Each of their stories has had such a great impact on me. Trust me, I could have a table of 15 people, but these three stories impact me each day as a guy trying to build himself up; it would only be right for me to say thank you in person.  

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?
I'd sing John Legend’s –‘Ordinary People’. Firstly I think it’s the only song that’s within my range (singing isn't my strength). Secondly, for me, life is about ordinary people who want to do extraordinary things. I’m one of those people so it resonates with me well.

5.  How would you complete this sentence?  "The South African cabinet should include a Minister of _________________."
Minster of Media and Communications. I think there's so much negativity with some of the news with regards to our government and that’s really quite sad especially considering there's quite a bit of good going on in our beautiful country. That’s my opinion ( I know, good disclaimer ) 

6.  What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
The biggest misconception about me would probably be that I’m only a hip hop culture guy. The genre and the message around it is definitely a foundation of who I am and what I’m about, but that’s not all I have to offer. I imagine being a businessman whose insight has been influenced by the culture, but can match any corporate hustle. Let the work do the talking they would say in office. In the streets we would say "grind". 

7.  What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
This city is beautiful. I love this place. It’s home and there's so much love here. However, I do feel that there's an untapped energy that, in time, will show. I just think more Africans need to come to the party and own more. They should own their ideas and stand the test of time. Rome wasn't built in a day. There are so many amazing people doing great things around the city, so it’s a matter of understanding the DNA of the Mother City and adapting to it. This is easier said than done though. 

8.  What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
Before pursuing entertainment, for a long time, I really was just simply afraid of things. I was afraid that I wasn’t fit for the industry and that I wasn’t good enough. And then I looked at my life and wondered that if should end now, would this be the peak of it? From that moment, I cut out the noise and started doing things the way I wanted to. I still get nervous each and every time, but that’s how I know I’m doing the right thing.

9.   What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?
I'd really love to shoot hoops with my favourite basketball player, Kobe Bryant, one day.

10.  Which well- known South African personality would you , without a doubt, be able to beat in a street fight and why?
Brickz (South African Kwaito artist). I'd pull his hair! I hate fighting though.

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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:

10 Questions For Entertainment Journalist and Television Producer Nicky Greenwall

10 Questions For YouTube Marketer, Professional Geek and Gaming Guru Grant Hinds

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