An exclamation used to congratulate someone, honour or praise someone or something, or to express joy or celebration; β€˜Bravo!’, β€˜Hooray!’.
Example

Halala, siyakubongela sisi.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
Garri, pronounced gah-ree,, is made from granulated cassava, a root vegetable that's poisonous unless you peel and cook it first. Commonly found in West Africa, there are two types of garri: yellow and white. The flavor depends on how long it's been fermented and the presence of palm oil.
Example

The prices of staple foods such as rice, beans and garri have increased astronomically.

Justin 04 March 2024

A derogatory term, originally referred to homeless people who sheltered in the forests of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. It’s now a derogatory word for homeless people in general.
Example

He left home now he is a bergie.

Varsity Dude 05 May 2021
properly used to mean a β€œspirit” from

u -> the

m -> child of, person of, thing of

Shulgi -> an ancient Sumerian king who deified him just like Jesus and so people were said to perform wonders β€œIn the name of Shulgi”.
Example

On seeing a ghost: I saw umshologu.

On seeing a magic performance: He’s using umshologu.

A church was in the old days called: The House of umshologu

On someone who loves to go to church: He’s the ash of the house of umshologu. (you can modernize the expression by using β€œfurniture” instead of β€œash”)

Sgasa 21 May 2025

Ayoba is a South African slang, which means something β€œcool”, β€œokay”, or β€œall right”. It was popular before the social media age but its use has declined.
Example

Girl 1: We should go to the mall tomorrow.

Girl 2: Ayoba

Mbali 04 April 2021
This is a term that refers to the Somali or Pakistani shop owners in South Africa. This term started when these shop owners first arrived in South Africa and they referred to everyone as "My friend". The name was then subsequently given to them.
Example

1. Child: Hi, my friend. How much are your sweets?
My friend: It's 2 bob for one sweet, my friend.

2. No one:
Pakistani shop owner: My friend I am not your friend, my friend.

Chief 24 July 2020

To joke, tease, or mess around, often at someone's expense.
Example

Dem dey cruise you, no vex.

Admin 26 July 2026
In Xhosa culture, umgidi is the ceremony that's done to celebrate a boy or boys (mkhwetha) coming back from the mountain (initiation school).
Example

I can't wait to attend umgidi ka Boy

MXhosa 23 October 2021

Haganapayi or haganapie is a Xhosa slang word that means empty head or idiot.
Example

Don’t tell me about that haganapayi, azithi dadobawo pha.

MXhosa 29 August 2023

Isimbi

NEW
Isimbi is the steel
Example

Baberegisa isimbi Ekhaya
They used a steel at Home

Pronunciation
by Anti Devil
Anti Devil 15 August 2026


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