The South African Accent – Why Is It So Sexy?

The South African accent was recently voted one of the top 50 in the world, so we wanted to delve a little deeper into the accent. What is it that people like so much and just why is it so sexy?

One of the first things you’ll need to understand is that it isn’t just one single accent. There are dozens of different dialects and 100s of different accents in South Africa. With such a diverse mix of people from so many backgrounds, the accents are varied.

What does a South African accent sound like?

Are there different South African accents?

Eh, yes. There are 11 different languages that have been recognised in its constitution, each with its own accent. They are…

• Afrikaans
• English
• Ndebele
• Pedi
• Sotho
• Swati
• Tshonga
• Tswana
• Venda
• Xhosa
• Zulu

The country geographically large, and is a melting pot of different cultures and people who have emigrated here. Part of the attractiveness of the accent is that it is so diverse and changes all the time.

You’ll find a super detailed breakdown of the various South African accents here.

What are some common sayings in South Africa?

With so many different dialects and accents to pick up on, there are hundreds of slang words. These words could help you when in South Africa…

• Braai = A barbecue
• Lekker = Tasty
• Sarmie = Sandwich
• Kief = Cool
• Eish = An expression of regret
• Indada = A matter of discussion
• Hayibo! = Wow!

What makes the accent so sexy:

Mainly, it is the sheer diversity and the fact that when the people talk it can be so melodic. South Africans are also people who like to enjoy life and often have a smile on their face. Happy people equals happy and sexy accents.

You can see a list of the 50 Sexiest Accents In The World Here to see where your country ranks…