DriveRSA sits down with Tanit Phoenix…Yes, that’s right…
I’m a great fan of models – but not those miniature metal specimens that adorn collector’s shelves. I’m talking about the long-legged creatures who strut down the catwalk clad in the latest outfits, striking poses to flashing cameras and an audience of wistful stares.
A recent interview with home-grown beauty Tanit Phoenix afforded me the chance to scratch an item off my Bucket List. Phoenix, whose pretty face and shapely physique has graced the pages of FHM magazine – as well as the walls of many adolescent boys – shared her ideas on how to improve our public transport system, divulged a few interesting backseat tales and also revealed that she enjoys getting dirty…Working with the greasy components of her car’s engine, of course.
Q: How do you get around town?
A: I mostly love to cycle – it helps me save on carbon emissions. But I do drive a cute little black number that’s low on fuel consumption and very eco-friendly. My next car will be a bio-diesel 4×4.
Q: Did you get your Driver’s on attempt 1?
A: Yes
Q: Tell us about your 1st crash?
A: It was before I moved to the States. I was 18, driving to a photo shoot at a stadium in Durban and the highway was empty, 6 lanes and not a car in site. I saw a woman begin to run across the road, I thought she would stop, seeing as my car was approaching her at a speed of 120Km/h, but with each lane I crossed my car into, to avoid hitting her, she just followed my every move – like a game of copycat. I slowed down, swerved into the next lane, yet she kept running across the road. Finally my steering wheel locked as my car began to slide, the roads were wet from previous nights rain and there was nothing I could do. My car hit the side of the road, turned a 180 degrees and both my left side tyres were bent at a 90 degree angle. The woman, thankfully was unharmed and she just kept running. Never looked back once, she did not care if I had been injured, she kept running!
Q: Roadside assistance, or do you keep it real and change the flat tire yourself?
A: I have changed my own tyres so many times, I even used to fix my own car when I drove a Citi Golf. From watching mechanics while having my car serviced I decided to try it myself and discovered that it was painless and far cheaper than paying a guy to do a job a girl can do.
Q: Any backseat tales you’d like to tell?
A: I saw Haley’s Comet when I was 6 or 7 years old. I woke up one night from a long haul road trip to the Kruger and my mom pointed it out to me.
Q: Is there any route you like driving?
A: Any Scenic routes, I love road trips. But I prefer the coastal drives because stopping and swimming when you need to stretch your legs is sooo good!
Q: Tell us about your ideal roadtrip?
A: The ideal roadtrip would be with my best friends in a 4×4 in South America.
Q: Ever date a man for the sole reason that he owns a nice ride?
A: I would love a man with a Maserati thank you! Haha, no, just kidding – that is so cliche. I am with a man for his magnetic qualities, not his car.
Q: Express your anger at bad drivers through hand gestures, or turn up the radio, chill and let it fly?
A: Both. Depends on my mood and the situation.
Q: Do you have empathy for Taxi drivers?
A: There is no control on the roads when it comes to law enforcement with the taxi drivers. They do not obey road regulations and have caused many accidents from reckless driving. They should be taken off the roads and a better public transport system needs to be implemented. For example, trams or a sky rail network.
Thanks Tanit for sharing some time with DriveRSA. Hope to see you again in the future…
Brenwin Naidu
Photo Credit: Ice Models / Motorpics