Xavier
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
GERALD “Xavier” Do Couto is a name that many people will not recognise, but when you mention the person in the Ngiyatshiselwa video maker, some will be left in stitches as to what drove him to record such as video that went viral.
The 15 second video clip of Xavier bellowing out Ngiyatshiselwa (I’m feeling hot) on a sunny day somewhere in England, is found on his
Facebook page OfishalXavier, been shared many times on social media networks such as WhatsApp, Snap Chat and Facebook.
The self styled full time comedian uses social media networks to share video clips of his jokes. Of late he has introduced Na2lani a series posted every Sunday on his OfishalXavier Facebook page.
Showbiz Correspondent Bongani Ndlovu (BN) had a chat with the comedian who revealed that he is a musician.
BN: Who is Xavier?
Xavier: Great question indeed! Who is Xavier? Xavier is actually part of my surname, Gerald is my first name. I was in born South Africa raised in Zimbabwe and grew up in England. I used to live in Queen’s Park East, Bulawayo and went to the local Primary school, Thomas Rudland before I moved to Marula Primary boarding school near Plumtree. When I was 10 years old I then relocated and finished my primary school in the UK. In high school I attended St Thomas More, where I did my GCSEs and A-Levels before I went to Brunel University and studied Communications and Media. I’ve in the UK for 16 years now.
BN: Did you think when you recorded the ngiyatshiselwa video it would have gone viral?
Xavier: Never in a million years. It’s amazing what God can do. I’ve posted over 500 videos but that one got the most reception. The video was taken in my creative director’s car. It was during the UK heat wave of last year and we were driving around then the Ngiyatshiselwa moment happened, that was me expressing how I felt at that moment and the rest is history. It’s weird how these things turn out.
BN: What inspires your comedy?
Xavier: Everyday life and past experiences. It’s that simple.
BN: When did you start comedy?
Xavier: I think when I was in pre-school, my family tells me I’ve always been a character but they thought I was just being silly, little did I know I was just practicing, it’s not until the rise of social media I began to express my funny side. That was with the app Keek then moved the videos to Instagram and Facebook and once in a while YouTube, now we talking to the chronicle. Who knows what the next platform is.
BN: Are you a musician because I saw a video of yours on YouTube Check your balance?
Xavier: I’ve always had a passion for music and secretly I admired the life style. So you could call me a musician but I’m an all-round entertainer who began as a DJ but realised that deejaying wasn’t going to take me far and there’s only so much of an audience I can reach and I wanted more than that. I started making music before Check your balance but that was just a trial of me discovering my musical side. I’ve actually just finished recording a joint album with my best friend the lyrical genius Xolani Nqo who raps on the Check your balance single too. There’s loads of good music to look out for on the project including singles such as Skorokoro, Sweetie Lavo, Ride or die. So l guess I’m a musician.
BN: Where was the music video shot?
Xavier: The video was shot last year at a studio just outside London, Canvey Island in Essex. I did the track with Dotstar a friend of mine who I met at university he’s already an established musician in the industry so approached him with a concept and the rest is history.
BN: Who is Na2lani, is she your mother?
Xavier: Na2lani is everyone’s mother. Everyone sees their mum in her. I’m actually working on a Na2lani web series filmed by Leyza Pictures, which will be out on all social media platforms Every Sunday Fortnight at 8pm. So look out for that.
BN: Looking into the future?
Xavier: At this very moment in time I’m training to be a professional actor at one of UK’s leading acting schools. After 24years I’ve finally decided what I want to do with my life, sometimes in life you have to go through certain situations to understand your purpose in life