Afrikaans

South African language, developed out of the Dutch spoken in the country since the first Dutch East India Company settlement in the Cape, established in 1652. Afrikaans was considered a dialect of Dutch – known as “Cape Dutch” – until recognised as a language in the late 19th century. From the Dutch for “African”.


They forced us to do Afrikaans in high school.



Born-free

In South Africa, a born-free is anyone who was born after 27 April 1994 (Freedom day).


You born-frees don't know anything about struggle.



Impandla

Impandla is a Nguni term for bald hair (when men lose their hair).


He's always wearing a cap because unempandla.



Exeh

Another word for bro popularly used in zambia


Exeh you good



Tjotjo

A term used to refer to a bribe, usually given to cops or traffic officers.


I gave him some tjotjo and he let me go.



Chaaka

A guy.
Random guy


Chaaka ngwiya okwa swaka



Slay queen

Young and naive girls who apparently do not date broke men. They spend hours on Snapchat and Instagram showing off things they don't even own.


Sandton slay queens are the worst, they will milk you dry then run way.



Tse nzima

Tse nzima is a word used to describe people who are good at something. It is normally used as a compliment.


If you get the girl your friends can say to you
Tse Nziiiiiiiima.



Ghana

A stable West African democracy known for gold, cocoa, and as a center of pan-African culture.


Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule.



Isidubada

Isidubada is an informal Xhosa dialect where you add a “d” after every sound. For example “Molweni” would be “modolwedenidi”.


Zikhona Sodlaka spoke isidubada in an episode of Gqeberha the Empire.




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