Wesley Chetty: the South African comedian taking New York by storm

IN A WORLD where opportunities knock at the most unexpected times, Wesley Chetty’s journey from a small town in South Africa to the bustling streets of New York is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Now 37, this former Newcastle resident is making waves as a marketing manager at PepsiCo, having relocated to the United States in September 2023.

But Chetty is not just about the corporate grind; he’s also a comedian, singer, avid traveller, and social media personality.

His life took a turn when he was offered a position on PepsiCo’s global team - a dream come true that he describes as “one of the most exciting chapters of my life”. 

“They covered every aspect of my relocation, my flights, shipping, the works, and honestly, who would say no to that?". 

If you have not yet heard of Wesley Chetty, check out his social media pages, more so to hear the antics of his opinionated alter-ego, who, despite not having a name, he says is more than just a gossipy South African Indian aunty. 

"I've always loved emceeing functions from weddings and birthdays to corporate events. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to take that energy online. It started with family videos, I experimented with accents, and one day a follower asked 'what about an Indian aunty?' I borrowed a scarf from my mum, grabbed an old phone, and the rest is history.

"I thought long and hard about giving my alter-ego a name but I realised she's bigger than that. She's a universal character that many cultures can relate to. For some, she's a grandmother, for others an outspoken mum, aunty or nosy neighbour. She has a talent for knowing everyone's business, collecting bits of information in casual chats, and adding her own colourful spin."

He said life throws enough challenges one's way and his alter-ego offered a moment of escapism.

"I keep her relatable from cooking, cleaning, current events, childhood throwbacks to the normal things we never question, all with a twist. Think back to those Sunday night family meetings with President Ramaphosa during the lockdown. You heard his version. Now here's hers..."

Chetty said the Indian aunty character had attracted a new audience, as he continued to film her antics abroad.

"She is still rooted in her South African Indian heritage but now has a global appeal. Colleagues tell me she reminds them of their Portuguese mums, Irish aunts, or other strong family personalities."

And what is the story behind her scarves?

"Originally it was just a quick prop to differentiate her from my other characters. I started with my mum's and sister's scarves, bought a few of my own, and now I have about 10 different ones in New York."

Chetty, who matriculated from Newcastle High School, said he was a "bit of a nerd" so many of his old classmates and teachers were surprised by his now comedic side. With no university in Newcastle, he had to move to the "cement jungle" and "proudly became a Witsie" having studied at the University of Witwatersrand.

"I had no idea what I wanted to study, so I, well, changed degrees three times. I like to think of myself as a professional first year student. I started with a general BSc aiming for dentistry, realised it wasn't for me, switched to actuarial science, and finally graduated with a BCom Honours in marketing (cum laude). I'm grateful to my parents for supporting all my career pivots."

After graduating, he worked on "beloved brands" like Knorr and Ola at Unilever, NutriDay and DanUp at Danone, and Simba, Lay's, Doritos and Cheetos at PepsiCo.

"I've been with Pepsico for nine years - my longest relationship ever. In 2022, I joined the ‘Beyond Borders’ programme, which lets marketers work on projects in other regions. That led to a permanent global team role and a move to the US. I absolutely love New York."

Chetty's story is, however, not limited to the confines of his career.

"During university, I appeared in numerous commercials. I believe in a balanced life and continued a side career in the entertainment industry with acting on TV shows like Generations, Isibaya, and Giyani - Land of Blood. I love the behind-the-scenes magic as much as being in front of the camera. I also have an extensive list of hobbies.

"I am one of those people who can't sit still. I run, partly because I genuinely enjoy it, but mostly because I love food and need to justify the Apple watch I scored through my medical aid. Music is another recharge station.

"Fun fact, I sing a little community choir in my building. I'm also an unapologetic travel addict. I’m always ready to explore new cultures, taste local cuisines, and experience cities as a local. I set myself a goal as a teenager to visit 50 countries before turning 50 - I'm already over 60% of the way there.

"I also believe in contributing to something bigger than myself, so I find purpose in volunteering and community work and, of course, content creation is my happy place. My social media presence is essentially a campaign for celebrating life and making people laugh."

Chetty was last in South Africa over the festive season - escaping the cold New York winter for sunshine, family, food and fun. And he plans to return in December.

What is next in the pipeline for him, or his alter-ego?

"I would love to get back into emceeing and acting more, while keeping the aunty sketches alive. She's not going anywhere, unless she's going on another phone call," he said, reflecting the humorous spirit of both his alter-ego and himself.

If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, follow @wesleychetty on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

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