Johannesburg, South Africa – 20 April 2010, South Africa, you made YOUR voices heard and we listened – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps will be adding a variety of local, South African voices to the blockbuster collection already available as a free download from TomTom HOME, ensuring you arrive at your destination, safe, on time and either crying with laughter or at the very least, with a big smile on your face.
Customising your GPS unit by adding new local voices is yet another way TomTom is making your navigation device your favourite travel companion. Gone are the days of road rage where taxi’s or bad drivers dampen your mood. Now you will have Fresh’s, distinctive laugh forcing you to do the same or howling before he tells you ‘dude, you made it, and you survived all the taxis, you are the man, yes including you lady’, or Sasha Martinengo – our very own petrol head best known for his show on 5fm and regular SuperSport appearances as commentator during International Grand Prix events, encouraging you to ‘get on the highway…yippeee’. The gorgeous Liezel van der Westhuizen – sexy voice and presenter of our local Idols series and hilariously funny comedian Mel Miller will also be available for download, as well as Jacaranda radio’s resident guest; Beauty who will have you crying with laughter as she navigates you with her fabulously South African accent. Darren Scott – host of the Just Plain Breakfast show, will also entertain you while stuck in traffic on your way to work.
This impressive list of local personalities will join the likes of well known Hip Hop artist, Snoop Dogg, Springfield’s wacky dad, Homer Simpson; beautiful Sex and the City fashion icon, and star, Kim Cattrall and the overweight, spoiled, foul-mouthed and ill-tempered Eric Boner Cartman from the American TV show, South Park.
The international voices can be purchased online and all free voices are downloadable from TomTom HOME, from the 16th of April. For more information please log on to www.tomtom.co.za
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To learn more about these loveable and popular local personalities mentioned above, please see information below:
DJ Fresh
Thato Sikwane (DJ Fresh), voted South Africa’s radio personality of the year, established himself with his breakfast slot on YFM and later as a host for Drive Time on 5fm. Fresh, recognised for his distinctive “laugh” and place on the local and international DJing circuit is famous for his charisma and outspoken personality as well as his involvement with various charities and community based projects. His voice recording was done in true Fresh style, including some political jokes that only he could get away with.
Sasha Martinengo
Cars, F1, Ferrari, speed and more cars – if you are as big a car fan as Sasha, you will love listening to his voice telling you “Make a u-turn…..you tonsil”. Sasha, the famous Italian 5fm jockey and SuperSport presenter, drives a Fiat and Alfa Romeo, collects models of cars as a hobby, loves Italian food and his favourite holiday destination is anywhere where he has an opportunity to go watch a Formula1 race. Sasha, an acclaimed local DJ who has released a selection of his own dance albums, is also known as the party person to follow on the popular social networks, Facebook and Twitter and is a presenter alongside Jeremy Clarkson at the local Top Gear Live shows.
Darren Scott
Known from his early days at Capital Radio and first sports talk show on 702 Radio in 1995, Darren became a household name when he hosted Drive Time on 5fm and became one of SuperSport’s resident commentators. Darren, who recently got married to the beautiful Sarah-Kate Seaward Scott, now hosts the Just Plain Breakfast Show on Jacaranda Radio and will now be able to ease your journey when stuck in traffic on the way to or from work.
Liezel Van Der Westhuizen
‘Let the beautiful voice of Idols direct you’. Liezel, one of our local upcoming stars, recognised for presenting Continuity on SABC 3, has a Masters Degree in Communication and has been a member of Toastmasters International since 2000. In December 2008, she was announced the new host of our local Idols show for their 5th season and keeps Jacaranda listeners entertained on her Saturday and Sunday afternoon shows.
Mel Miller
Mel Miller is a South African stand-up comedian who starred in South Africa’s first ever television sitcom, Biltong & Potroast, in 1976. The golden oldie comedian, started his business career together with Mel Green in August 1963, where they formed a folk group called Mel and Mel. He recorded his voice in a German accent, which had the TomTom team in stitches with the clichéd German ‘faux pas’ and hysterical add-ons to the typical navigation terms.
Beauty
Beauty, posing as a local South African, who often appears as a guest on the Just Plain Breakfast Show is famous for her take on local affairs and controversial approach to day to day events. She will bring listeners to tears with laughter as she directs you to the closest KFC saying, “let’s stop for fried chicken”.
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