Best known for presenting SABC 3’s hit travel show ‘Going nowhere slowly’ comedian Stuart Taylor spent his days as a Matie student studying BSc. “I loved studying a BSc degree. I’m still a massive fan of the natural sciences. Even while I was studying, I was pretty sure it wasn’t the career I was heading towards but still, I loved learning about physiology and zoology.” He was flexible and open to new opportunities and in January this year he celebrated his 18th anniversary doing only comedy on stage. He also is a producer, director and writer.
With his book Learner Husband and a DVD sandwiched between Chris Rock & Eddie Izzard in a specific store, he is excited about his career. “I look forward to taking our unique South African perspectives to all corners of the world. As a performer I want to tour more countries and as a producer, I’d like to start exporting what we have to the rest of the world while also bringing into South Africa some of the shows I’d love to see live.”
To keep having new ideas and make people laugh can be challenging, but Stuart says his inspiration comes from within. “My job is to take my experiences and the human condition and ridicule it. Make people see their own situations and experiences in an amusing way.” He also likes to use social issues and offer an alternative view.
He admits that he has nothing but fond memories of his days as a student. This is where he met his wife Elisca and he remembers throwing stones against her residence’s window to get her attention. “In my humble opinion, if you didn’t do Stellenbosch in res, you only got half of the experience. It was a really great sense of community.”
Stuart encourages students to enjoy every moment. “Your time will fly by. Take that time out to enjoy one of the most beautiful spaces on the planet. Go kiss that girl in ‘Die Laan’ and take long walks up the mountain behind Coetzenburg and long slow walks down Victoria Street until that acorn falls on your head. Most importantly though… If you’re feeling uncertain about your course, change it. There is nothing wrong with not knowing exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life at age 18.”
He believes that regardless of the changes that need to take place at Stellenbosch University, the institution will still remain one of South Africa’s centres of academic excellence.
- By Elbie Els -
