Fighter

A general term used to refer to a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).


We are led by a very good fighter.



Phara

Also known as phara-phara. A term that refers to a drug addict who often terrorizes the community through criminal activities. The term is mostly used in Xhosa and Zulu speaking communities. In Gauteng, this person would be called a Nyaope Boy.


There was nothing he could do, ela phara had a huge knife so he just gave away the phone.



Spaza

Not to be confused with Spaza shop... Is the name used to refer to Xhosa rap or Xhosa hip hop. It is not clear how the name went from being a kasi shop to a music genre.


You know guys from cape Town like listening to Spaza music.



Tilili

A term Xhosa people use to refer to those small cellphones with no internet. Those phones you just use for calls and sms. They call it lepopotane in SePitori.


Yho mntase I saw his tilili hidden in the spare wheel of his car. Caba he didn't want me to see that he uses it for his hoes.



Lepopotane

A term in Sepitori that refers to those small cellphones with no internet. Those phones you just use for calls and sms. Xhosa people call it tilili


I use my lepopotane for my side chicks, and I make sure I hide it inside the spare wheel so that my main chick doesn't see it.



Sepitori

Also known as S'Pitori, is the language spoken by native people of Pretoria (Pitori). It is a combination of Pedi and Tswana, with a bit of Tsotsi taal.


I speak a bit of Tswana plus sepitori.



Lepyatla

This term is commonly used to refer to a very beautiful and attractive girl. This word originates from S'pitori, commonly known as Pretoria.


Tjo ngwana ona na ke lepyatla.



Spaza shop

An informal convenience store, usually run from home or some corner in the neighbourhood.


Go buy some bread at the spaza shop.



Tsotsi

This is a general kasi term for a criminal.


He got mugged by some Tsotsi from town.



Tsotsi Taal

The term directly translate to "Criminal language". This is a vernacular derived from a variety of mixed languages, mainly spoken in the townships all over South Africa.

Each Kasi has its own tsotsi taal or its own way of speaking, meaning tsotsi taal from Soweto might differ from that of Pitori.


Teacher: You cannot speak that Tsotsi Taal in my class. Here we speak proper English.




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