If there’s one thing we know about South Africans, it’s that we’ll find humour in almost anything—even that which irks us most. One social media recently put together a list of ‘South African sounds that’ll traumatise you’, and we’re cry-laughing:
South Africa (27 January 2025) — South Africans will find humour in almost anything. Whether it’s a situation that ticks us off or a sound that drives us up the wall and through the roof, you can bet your bottom Rand that there’s a local who has made a joke about it. In the case of specifically South African sounds, that’s another chapter in the ‘annoying things South Africans still find funny’ book. Recently, one social media user took the time to compile some of South Africa’s most ear-scratching, chord-striking sounds for South Africans, evoking a ton of laughs thanks to its relatability.
But, viewers of the video took things a step further, adding a few special mentions to South Africa’s cacophony.
These are the funny sounds that will only strike a chord with South Africans:
The Hadeda Alarm Clock
The Hadeda’s wails are South Africa’s alarm clock. We all know it. We’ve all started our days because of it. And no matter where in the world we move to, we’ll never forget it.
Whether it’s the good old-fashioned natural hadeda in the wild of your garden or a hilarious remix, this is a sound that many South Africans love to hate and, in some cases, hate to love.
Generator Groove
There’s a special place in the darkness of loadshedding where the sound of a generator switching on lives. If you’re lucky, it’s your generator. If you’re not, it’s your neighbours that act almost as the sound intro to a movie you’re not invited to watch but must listen to the sound of others enjoying it.
Taxi Symphony
There’s an art to the taxi hoot. It rarely comes in singularity, and it is always fashioned staccato-style. Persistent yet passionate, the sound of a taxi’s cry has a unique kind of power that sees taxis transcend the rules of gravity, physics and the road.
‘My Fellow South Africans’
A special mention from viewers: this is the start of a sentence we all have etched in our brains. President Ramaphosa, a mask over the eyebrows and a fed-up nation are all tied together by this one set of words, and whether it evokes a giggle on the other side of the pandemic or a feeling of respect, one thing’s for sure: when someone says ‘My fellow South Africans’, ears perk up.
The Carte Blanche Intro Song
Another special mention is that this sound made sure you knew it was Sunday. While for many, the Carte Blanche intro song signalled ground-breaking journalism, for generations of school-goers, it also meant it was time to do that last-minute homework or ask your friend what you were supposed to study for Monday’s test.
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What are the sounds only South Africans will relate to that you can think of? Let us know in the comments!
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