Interview: Tanya Van Graan
It appears that the air of style models exude is perpetual – they look graceful even while immersed in normal day-to-day tasks, as seen in those shots often featured in Heat magazine, taken from behind shrubs by stalking photographers. With their blemish-free cherubic faces and ability to keep abreast of fashion and all its vagaries, one might think that in the life of a model, everything is about looks. But DriveRSA’s most recent interviewee, Tanya Van Graan, proved otherwise. Van Graan is extremely sensible and seems to care little about appearance, focusing instead on virtues of practicality and functionality when making her purchasing decisions. Which is why she chooses the Toyota Yaris as her method of moving around town – which, being a Toyota, hits the road without a fuss. Much like Tanya, who doesn’t break a sweat over the poor driving habits of others…
Q: How do you get around town?
A: I drive my own car – a Toyota Yaris.
Q: Did you get your Driver’s on attempt 1?
A: Nope, third time lucky! I grew up on a game farm, so driving on the roads seemed like a scary experience then!
Q: Tell us about your 1st crash?
A: I have been lucky to have never been in an accident or crashed my car. I’m very aware of what goes on around me on the road.
Q: Roadside assistance, or do you keep it real and change the flat tire yourself?
A: I have never been stuck next to the road with a flat tire, as I check them before I drive. It has happened once, but was home and someone was kind enough to help. But I don’t mind getting my hands dirty!
Q: Any back seat tales you’d like to tell?
A: Well….I’m a bit of a back seat driver. I feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
Q: Is there any route you like driving?
A: Any route going out of town is great. I recently drove through the Midlands Meander. I was very beautiful!
Q: Tell us about your ideal road trip?
A: I do love a good road trip! It’s all about the company, the music and the destination of course. For me it’s the best way to explore any country.
Q: Express your anger at bad drivers through hand gestures, or turn up the radio, chill and let it fly?
A: I don’t express anger in any way. No amount of gestures could change a situation or teach someone about rules on the road. I always remind myself that that person could also just be having a bad day – everyone makes mistakes and hopefully they will learn from them.
Q: Your favourite musical accompaniment to your drive?
A: Jack Johnson
Q: Do you have empathy for Taxi drivers?
A: When any driver, be it a taxi driver or puts other people’s lives at risk in their vehicle or outside, I have no empathy for them. It’s the most selfish act to put other peoples’ lives at risk for the sake of their own business. They say it’s for their own survival, to earn money – but at that cost I say you’re in the wrong business!
Q: When choosing a car, do you look out for aesthetics – or the practical merits too?
A: For me a car is just a tool, to get from A to B. So practicality and safety is the main thing I look for.
Thanks for taking some time out to share your thoughts with DriveRSA Tanya. Hopefully we’ll catch up with you again in the (near) future…
Brenwin Naidu
Photo Credit: Ice Models