A clip of Elon Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, speaking in a “Pretoria” accent has amused South Africans.
The 76-year-old mother of three was born in Canada but relocated to SA as a young child. After her divorce from Elon’s dad Errol, Maye and her children returned to Canada and later settled in the US.
MAYE MUSK’S ‘SOUTH AFRICAN ACCENT’ DETECTED IN INTERVIEW CLIP
In a clip posted on X, Maye Musk is seen speaking to Fox News about her son Elon’s political ambitions.
Elon – who has been drafted into cabinet by US president elect Donald Trump – has been on the receiving end of criticism by many Americans.
Maye said of her son, who is the world’s richest man: “The media has to change. And the politicians have to change and stop being mean and, nasty, and dishonest.
“They used to always hate on Elon Musk for 15 years, but I trusted them with the other news, but then, I realized, no, they are dishonest in all aspects.”
The clip quickly got the attention of South Africans, who picked up Maye Musk’s local accent.
@wilkinsoncape: “This Tannie’s accent hasn’t changed one iota since she left Pretoria.”
@dalmains: “That’s a proper Pretoria accent and hairdo.”
@GwaQube: “She sounds like she would switch to Afrikaans in no time.”
WHERE IS SHE ORIGINALLY FROM?
Despite living in South Africa for many years, Maye Musk was born in Canada. Her family moved to Pretoria when she was just two years old.
After their divorce in 1979, Elon went to live with his father while his mother was based in Bloemfontein. At the age of 18, Elon emigrated to Canada, and his mother and siblings followed a few years later.
Elon Musk, his siblings, and his mother, Maye, later moved to the US, where they have become permanent residents.
LEARNING TO SPEAK AFRIKAANS
While Maye Musk was born in Canada, she grew up in South Africa and was exposed to the Afrikaans language.
The author and beauty queen learned to speak the language fluently after attending the University of Pretoria, where she obtained a BSC degree.
Last year, Maye was honoured with a doctorate in dietetics from the University of the Free State.
Just days later, she was featured in a clip alongside former Miss SA Rolene Strauss.
“Ek kan Afrikaans praat”, she told Rolene. She added: “Dit is wonderlik!”.
DOES MAYE MUSK HAVE A SOUTH AFRICAN ACCENT?
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