Ngxe

Pardon me. Particularly in an official and formal setting e.g. in a meeting or when asking for forgiveness from the elderly.


"Ngxe, bantakwethu." - Pardon me, my kin.



Al Ahly

A team that got beaten 5 - 2 by Sundowns (the best football team in Africa)


Don’t worry about that team. It’s an Al Ahly.



Mmege

A broke person


You are just "mmege" you have no single cent



Kale Bwangu

A phrase used to describe something that is very old or "old school." It's often used humorously to tease someone for wearing outdated clothes or having an old phone.


Look at that old phone. That's so kale bwangu!



Voetsek

This is the most common curse word, mostly used to chase a dog away.
Some may spell it as Tsek


Hey voetsek wena spottie. Go away.



Mamelodi Sundowns

The most successful soccer team in South Africa (and most rich). It is nicknamed masandawana or kabo yellow.


Mamelodi Sundowns is winning the league again this season, after snatching it from Kaizer Chiefs last season on the last game.



Habiya

Another Xhosa term for vamna - which means a love portion given to your lover to make you love more.


"Ndingayitya nephepha layo lo habiya" - Driemanskap



Mamzo

Mamzo is a kasi slang term for mom or mother.


Eish sorry mamzo, I won’t do it again.



Afrikaans

Is a language created by dutch people, although in dutch translates to african it is not of that origin.


I just learned to speak afrikaans.



Lesotho

A mountainous Southern African kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa, known for textiles.


Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters elevation.




© 2020 Africtionary®