QnA: Alessandro Mosupi Khojane

Modelled on Marcel Proust’s questionnaire, we ask our favourite people questions which could either reveal who they truly are — or shroud them deeper in mystery.

Alessandro “Alex” Khojane is the owner of popular Joburg restaurants Gemelli and ZIO La Famiglia. Born in the Free State, Khojane was raised in Italy when his family moved there when he was just six months old. Now 36 years old, Khojane currently employs 120 staff between the two restaurants and is planning to be restauranteur of more to come.

Describe yourself in two words.

Big softy.

What’s your favourite quality in yourself?

I love human beings.

What’s your favourite quality in others?

Their willingness to care about other people besides themselves.

Your most dominant characteristic?

My attitude. The fact that I’m loud and I don’t take anything too seriously.

Your biggest flaw?

I only forgive twice. After that you’re dead to me.

What do you most appreciate in your friends?
That they can be honest with me as much as I can be honest with them at all times.

On what occasion do you lie?

To save someone’s feelings.

What’s your favourite possession?

I don’t have one. My most used possession would have to be my cellphone.

Your idea of happiness?

Debt free life and living in Durban with two kids and my dogs by the beach in the next five years.

Your idea of misery?

Being married to someone you don’t want to be married to.

Which word or phrase do you overuse?
“FUCK!” but my favourite phrase now is, “yaaa yaaa yaaaa, yaaa, yaaaa”.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Check my WhatsApp for my assistant’s and my manager’s texts and then go to Instagram to see what happened the day before and then go to gym.

What’s the last thing you do at night?
Get on Instagram and check my messages from the day, take my pills and go to bed.

Night owl or morning bird?

Night Owl.

If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
Dan Bilzerian. Always around half naked models and he get paid to be cool.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Hercules. Big softy.

If you could only listen to only one album for the rest of your life, which would it be?
Jay-Z – The Blueprint.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t trust anybody.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a funny guy who made it. I believe you can be yourself and be successful.