NICK ARCHIBALD

SA creative | Radio Presenter | MC | Voice Artist

Show(s):

Host: Top 40 on 5, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Host: 5 Takeover, Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Social Handles:

@nickarchibaldza

BRIEFLY:

Nick is an award-winning radio host who has held multiple roles across radio. Starting in 2016, Nick fell in love with the medium through sport but slowly re-discovered his love for music as the years rolled on. After completing his BA in Sociology and Anthropology at Stellenbosch University in 2018, Nick turned to full-time radio which led him to 5FM in April 2021.

Simply put, Nick is an entertainer at heart who simply wants to make people happy. Music is one of the most important aspects of his life and you can hear that in every radio moment.

QUICKFIRE Q&A:

If you had to sum up yourself in 10 seconds, what would you say?

Archibald is an entertainer. I love people. I love music. I love laughing. I love that all these three entities can exist at one time.

Where were you born and raised?

On the playground is where I spent most of my days (those who know, know). Born and bred in Johannesburg.

In which towns have you lived and where are you living currently?

I have lived in Joburg and Stellenbosch. I am currently back in Joburg after four years in the Western Cape.

Which languages can you speak?

I speak English. During my time in Stellenbosch, I picked up a bit of Afrikaans, but I can’t speak it.

What are your favourite towns or cities visited in SA and abroad?

Where do I begin? I honestly think Johannesburg is the greatest place. So much culture that is intertwined here. Being back has been thrilling. Otherwise, where I studied in Stellenbosch is so beautiful and I can’t believe I got to live there.

The Vaal Dam is arguably my favourite place. I grew up going there with my family.

And lastly, the Eastern Cape. What an incredible part of our country – from Morgan Bay to Cintsa. It’s just beautiful.

What are your hobbies?

My first hobby is that I always talk to myself. Practice makes perfect, as they say, and I’m always practicing. Some people might think me crazy, but Archibald is always “mics live”.

But I also love the outdoors. When I can, I hike, walk and cycle. I also play golf, because chasing a white ball around 7.5 kilometers of greenery is a special kind of torture.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done?

This sounds terrible, but I once asked a musician at the end of his set in Mozambique if I could sing a song or two with my ukulele. I ended up singing five or six songs and threw some comedy skits in there for the vibes. I had the whole crowd cry laughing. It was a thrill I have not seen again. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

Which pets do you have, if any?

I have never had a pet, but I am definitely a fish person. His name will be Sir Johnathan Augustine the Second and he will be a clown fish.

What’ll Google say you search for most often?

“Ryan Reynolds’ doppelganger”, then “why is Nick Archibald Ryan Reynolds’ doppelganger”.

5 famous people, living or not, that you would have a kuier with?

Ryan Reynolds, Serena Willaims, Siyamthanda Kolisi (our true president), Eminem and Morgan Freeman.

Favourite movies and / or series of all time?

The Office – iconic. New Girl. Deadpool – also iconic. A Beautiful Mind – changed my life. Straight Outta Compton – brought back the love I have for Hip Hop.

Which hash tags best describe your fashion sense?

#whiteboy #plainshirtwithjeans #tyedye #ilovehightops #tryingtolookcoolbutiamactuallyinmymid20s #Jordan1s

What is your ideal holiday, described in one line?

Don’t e-mail me.

Which things would you most want to learn to do?

I want to understand a South African language that I have never understood. I believe in communication, hence doing what I do, but I have fallen short in this regard. I want to rectify that.

A hidden talent that you could probably get paid for:

I do impressions and accents. “David Attenborough’s substitute” is an apt nickname.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

To teleport anywhere. Petrol prices are high.

Which sports, if any, do you watch?

All of them. Rugby, golf, cricket and tennis are my staple, but I love F1 and Moto GP.

Which causes are you really passionate about?

Well, there are many. I remember that the anti-GBV movement at Stellenbosch University hit close to home for many of us at the time. That’s certainly a priority on my list. I am passionate about our youth and how powerful we can be.

I love animals and I believe protection and love for them is essential to our own existence.

What are the top things on your bucket list?

To skydive. To voice a character in an animation movie. To marry the love of my life. To have a bond-free house. To hike Kilimanjaro.

Which things in the world (and people) do you dislike?

Hate, in any of its forms. There is no place for hate in my world. There is certainly no place for hate in our world. (Yes, I am aware that I sound like a politician)

Which things make the world (and people) awesome?