Word of the Day [20 May 2026]

Robot

How South Africans say “traffic lights” because “traffic lights” is too long and doesn’t sound futuristic enough.


No one:

Passenger in a taxi: After robot, driver.

Ijaja

Ijaja is a widely used South African slang term to refer to God.


I don't care what you say, ijaja is my witness.

Zuka

A term we used to use back in the day to refer to the 50c coin. Ama2000 would not know it.


No one:

5 year old me: Ndicela noba yi zuka to buy sweets.


amaWaka Waka

A term used in South African high schools—coined by the Matric Class of 2024—to refer to students born in 2010 during the FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa. The nickname comes from the tournament’s official anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira. It’s commonly used to refer to Grade 8 learners of 2024, most of whom were born that year.


Eish, amaWaka Waka were making noise while we were writing.

Ow

Ow is a term Xhosa girls use to refer to a boyfriend.


Ngeyam i-Ow, ndingalwa ndibebomvu.


Marete

A baSotho/Tswana term for Balls (As in testicles, not a soccer ball).


O boa marete saan

Lord Kambala Day

Lord Kambala Day in South African football circles refers to September 5, 2020, a day etched in PSL (Premier Soccer League) history when Manuel 'Lord’ Kambala, playing for Baroka FC, scored a crucial equalizer against Kaizer Chiefs. That goal denied Chiefs the league title on the final day of the 2019/20 season, handing the championship to Mamelodi Sundowns instead. This singular moment earned Kambala the nickname "Lord Kambala" and immortalized his contribution to South African football lore.


Happy Lord Kambala Day, everyone 🎉


Podcast and Chill

Podcast and Chill with MacG is a podcast owned and hosted by South African YouTuber MacG alongside Sol Phenduka and Ghost Lady. It is the biggest podcast in Africa in terms of numbers and popularity.
The podcast invites celebrities and public figures to take part in the Q&A sessions on the podcast.


I really enjoy watching the Podcast and Chill. You can call me a Chiller.

Mauritania

A Northwest African country with Saharan landscapes, Arab-Berber culture, and iron ore resources.


Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, is one of the world's newest major cities, founded in 1958.


Bosso

Bosso is a slang term for boss.
Boss is someone who spins a car asa e namela.
Boss is someone who eats Rice Crispy with Whiskey.


That guy ke bosso.

Black Juice

Another name for Carling Black Label. South Africa's favourite beer. Some may call it Zamalek.


Yho the babalaas you would swear I was drinking Black Juice.




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