Word of the Day [03 Mar 2026]

Gatvol

Is an Afrikaans term for complitely fed up or very upset.


I am gatvol with Kaizer Chiefs.

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.

Gqwirhy

Gqirhy or gqwirhi is an informal Xhosa term used to refer to jealous or black magic tendencies.


I bought this car last month and today someone stole it. Yhu ni gqwirhy kulendawo


Mdantsane

Mdantsane is a township in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is the second largest township in South Africa, after Soweto.


That boxer is from the streets of Mdantsane.

Korobela

Korobela refers to a love potion given to a man or woman to love you more and be more submissive towards you.


She gave him korobela that's why she controls him like this.


Tik

Tik is the South African street name for crystal meth. It also goes by the street name thsuf.


These boys smoke tik and terrorize the community.

Fede

Fede may be used to say "alright" or "okay" and it is mainly used that way in the southern townships of Johannesburg and many parts of Gauteng.


Fede, I'll sort it out.


Pozi

To stand and be at alert or wait.


Pozi for here. Meaning wait for (me) here.

Pozi make dem no loss you. Stand at alert so that you're not pickpocketed

Mavuso

The money given to a woman after spending the night with her.


She left with a random guy yesterday guy and got mavuso in the morning.


S’ting ting

A useless person or thing. A breathing object


He is not someone who can help you yis’ting- ting.

You can only rob a s’ting ting

Western Cape

The Western Cape is one of 9 South African provinces, with coasts bordering the Indian and Atlantic oceans. It's known for the port city of Cape Town, set beneath Table Mountain, part of a national park of the same name.


I can't wait for the day I have enough money to visit Cape Town, in the Western Cape.




© 2020 Africtionary®