A Central African country with diverse geography, cultures, and languages, often called 'Africa in miniature'.
Example

Cameroon's national football team is nicknamed the Indomitable Lions.

Travel Admin 23 June 2025
Danko is the same as Afrikaans word dankie which symbolises acceptance and appreciation, it basically means thank you.
Example

The South African government said Danko to everyone who got vaccinated.

Colani 23 September 2021

This is the Orlando Pirates football club from Soweto, South Africa. A person who is a fan of Pirates can also be referred to as Bhakaniya.
Example

Bhakaniya has not won the league in a while now.

MXhosa 01 May 2022
Can also be spelled Bhabhalaza, Babalaz, bhabhalazi - is a hangover or that feeling in the morning after a night of heavy drinking.
Example

I'm struggling to wake up today because babalaas is nyisaring me.

Sinazo 12 April 2021

10111

NEW
10111 is the number for Police in South Africa. It is the equivalent of 911.

The downside is that it probably won’t be answered so don’t bother calling it when in an emergency.
Example

I tried calling 10111 five times but no one is picking up.

CG 4 days ago
Umnqundu is a Xhosa swear word that you don't want to randomly say.
Example

Mqundu wakho kwedini.

MXhosa 12 May 2021

The word referring any form of educational institution, from pre-school all the way to University.
Example

Did you go to Sgela? Did you go to School?

Mntungwa 05 July 2021
New name for Port Elizabeth.
Example

Did you hear that Port Elizabeth is now called Gqeberha?

Mr Trends 24 February 2021

Inkqayi is a Xhosa term for chiskop. Like when you cut all of your hair (bald).

A lot of people misspell it as nqayi.
Example

Soze ndiphinde ndichebe inkqayi.

MXhosa 24 May 2021
Dijo is a Sotho term for food.
Example

Ke batla dijo.
I want food.

LinguistZA 11 July 2025


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