In the first installment of our ‘Meet the Voices’ series we met the original group of voices who recorded for Xander apps. Today we will speak to the next generation of voices who were part of Xander’s expansion to new languages and the translation of more apps.
Okwethu Rani
Apps Recorded
Xander Xhosa Build & Break and Animals.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Okwethu Rani, I am six years old and in grade R at Ikhaya Primary School in Stellenbosch.
Did you like recording for Xander and why?
Yes, just because it’s nice to talk. I love talking.
What your favourite app or game to play?
I like the kitty game (which is the talking tom app).
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a nurse when I grow up.
What is your favourite bedtime story?
The Dog story. It’s one my dad made up.
Thabang Monametsi
Apps recorded:
Tell us about yourself
My name is Thabang Monametsi, others and my family call me Teejay and my friends call me TeD. I am 16 years old and I go to Hoerskool Bekker.
Did you enjoy recording for Xander?
I loved recording for Xander apps because it’s always been my dream to stand behind a microphone professionally.
What is your favourite app or game?
It is Ovilex’s Driving School 2016 and EA Sports’ FIFA.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I would love to be a lyricist (MC or Rapper) and a sound engineer.
What is/was your favourite bedtime story?
Jack and the beanstalk.
Shumirai Fashibeyi
Apps recorded:
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Shumirai Fashibeyi and I am 10 years old. I go to AF Louw Primary in Stellenbosch.
Did you like recording Xander apps and why?
I did like it because I got to speak in my home language, Shona.
What’s your favourite app or game to play?
I love to play the Bubble game on my mom’s phone.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up I want to be a doctor.
What is your favourite bedtime story?
My favourite bedtime story is Toby and his friends.
Martin Nyokolodi
Apps Recorded:
Xander Sotho and Zulu Apps.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Martin Nyokolodi, age 22 years old. I work at Project Isizwe as marketing assistant and I’m also the founder of Zasong Online Radio #EdTech.
Did you like recording for the Xander apps and why?
Recording for the Xander apps is fun. I like kids but most of all I like smart kids who have a wide imagination which is what the Xander apps teach, turning an ordinary kid into a smart kid.
What do you think about educational apps in South African languages?
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”- Nelson Mandela. It’s that simple, yes English is a universal language and medium of instruction in most parts of the world if not all but it is also important to teach children in their home language to fast pace learning and have an intense understanding, this will make it easier for them to translate information they know and fully to different languages.
What is your favourite app/ game?
My favorite app is the Xander Tswana 123, my niece loves it too and she is on the roll with her numeracy skills thanks to Xander.
What was your favourite bedtime story as a child?
My favorite bedtime story? Wow plenty, I used to have Ruth Sanders’ ‘A Book of Prince and Princesses’ it’s a collection of stories for children, I have been trying to find a copy lately but unsuccessful. I think this book is a must read for every child out there.
Let us know what you think about our Next Generation Xander Voices on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Next time we’ll meet the kids behind the voices of the Xander Spel apps.
