Nkunzi

Nkunzi is a Xhosa term for a male animal. It is also often used to refer to a person, obviously male.

Ndifuna ukuthetha inkunzi yebhokhwe.

I want to buy a male goat.

Isgubhu

Isgubhu is a South African slang term that initially meant music drums or a bassline before it later referred to all dance music.

South Africans love any song with isgubhu

Zambian Kwacha

Currency of Zambia (ZMW) issued by the Bank of Zambia. 1 Kwacha = 100 ngwee.

Kwacha means "dawn" in Nyanja, symbolizing a new beginning.

Lekker

South African slang word for "cool" or "nice"

I just won a bet in Betway.
Lekker bru.

Ghost Lady

Ghost Lady is the co-host of the popular South African Podcast called Podcast and Chill with MacG and Sol Phenduka. As the name suggests, she doesn't appear on camera and her real name is unknown, but she plays a major role in the running of the Podcast.

I wish I could see Ghost Lady some day.

Sisekakeni

Sisekakeni is a general Xhosa phrase that means we are in trouble. It directly translates to "we are in shit" or "we are in deep shit"

Friend: The petrol prices went up again.
Me: Sisekakeni

Ramabillion

This refers to President Cryil Ramaphosa. He was given this nickname after he announced R500 billion Covid-19 relief fund. He was throwing billions like he was throwing boxing punches.

Don't worry, President Ramabillion has promised us a R350 covid grant.

Batlao Hurda

A social media term that means they will hurt you.

You think he loves you... Batlao hurda mntase.

Shibobo

A soccer skill/move where a player puts the ball in between another player's legs.

Did you see that shibobo from Messi?

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.

Gbege NEW

Gbege is a popular Nigerian Pidgin slang term for trouble or a problematic situation.

Abeg make you clear from that area, I no want gbege o.