Hire voice actors with a South African accent

The South African accent conveys the clipped, guttural tones of local languages and the smooth, rounded sounds of South African English. Famous actors with a South African accent are Sharlto Copley and Charlize Theron. Sharlto Copley adds a raw, magnetic quality to District 9 and Beast film characters. Charlize Theron is known for her Academy Award-winning performance in Monster and the Fast and Furious Series. She captures hearts with her compelling, elegant voice that enhances the spirit and nuances of various characters. From warm, compassionate heroes to dark, gritty villains, the South African accent is an exceptional choice for projects with culturally rich narratives. Hiring actors with South African accents can add an engaging edge to your voice over project with their distinct, rhythmical intonation. Here’s more on the voice style of actors with South African accents. 

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What is the South African accent?

The South African accent is a rich byproduct of the country’s multicultural heritage. Phonetically, it’s distinguished by clear vowels and a melodious rhythm. It features a rising intonation at the end of sentences, which makes statements sound almost questioning. Words in South African English are usually pronounced with an open mouth, so the accent has a musical cadence, differentiating it from other English accents. Consonants are pronounced clearly, and there is often a noticeable ‘rolling’ of the ‘r’ sound, especially in Afrikaans-influenced regions. The diversity of languages within the country, including Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and others, also influences the English spoken, giving rise to an assortment of sounds and intonations present in the South African English accent. This unique accent adds a captivating quality to voice over projects. 

Popular voice actors with a South African accent


Popular voice actors with a South African accent are Sharlto Copley and John Kani. Sharlto has a unique, rough-around-the-edges tonality mixed with an affable warmth. You can hear his voice as the lead robot character in Chappie. John Kani is a veteran actor with a rich, authoritative South African accent. He voices Rafiki in the 2019 remake of “The Lion King.” His mature voice portrays wisdom and dignity, enhancing the role’s authenticity. The South African accent features pronounced vowel sounds and a melodic intonation, which vary across different regions within South Africa. These actors, among others, use their accents to add depth and vocal distinction to their roles, bringing characters to life with a uniquely South African sound. You can listen to various skilled voice actors on Voice123 with an engaging South African accent.

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FAQs

What is the South African accent from?
The Dutch, who were early settlers, influenced its linguistic history. There’s also influence from indigenous African and European languages.
Is the South African accent similar to New Zealand?
While both countries have accents influenced by British English, the South African accent carries a different intonation and rhythm because of the Afrikaans influence, which isn’t a feature in the New Zealand vernacular.
How do South Africans say yes?
Some say “yes” as it is said in other English-speaking countries; however, in Afrikaans, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages, “yes” translates to “ja,” pronounced as [yɑː].
Do they speak Afrikaans in South Africa?
Yes, Afrikaans is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. It evolved from Dutch settlers in the 17th century and was the first language of many in the Western and Northern Cape provinces.