South Africa Slang Dictionary

South African slang is a rich, multilingual mix that borrows freely from the country's eleven official languages - isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sesotho and more - plus street languages like tsotsitaal and Sepitori. It's the language of the townships, the taxi rank, kwaito and amapiano, and everyday Mzansi life from Joburg to Cape Town to Durban. Words like eish, howzit, lekker, sharp sharp and yebo are woven into how South Africans speak every day. Explore the community-built dictionary of South African slang below - and add the words you know.

Mampara week is the week before payday, where everyone just doesn’t have money.
Example

Friend: Let’s go out.

Me: I can’t, you know it’s Mampara Week.

Zama 21 June 2024
Izinyoka is a South African term that is used for Electricity cable thieves.



Izinyoka means snakes in Zulu (direct translation)
Example

We don't have electricity here because of izinyoka.

Masiya 18 June 2024
The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province, with desert landscapes, wildlife and gemstones.
Example

I have never been to the Northern Cape.

Maps 14 June 2024
North West is an inland South African province that borders Botswana. Its landscape is defined by mountains in the northeast and bushveld scattered with trees and shrubs.
Example

I can't wait to go to North West and see Sun City.

Maps 14 June 2024
Mpumalanga (Zulu name for "the place where the sun rises") is a province in eastern South Africa, bordering the nations of Swaziland and Mozambique.
Example

We should visit Mpumalanga.

Maps 14 June 2024
The Free State, formerly known as the Orange Free State, is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital.
Example

The Free State is in the middle of the country.

Maps 14 June 2024
KwaZulu-Natal or KZN is one of 9 South African provinces, located on the Eastern part of the country.
Example

KwaZulu-Natal niggas like to think they are the best.

Maps 14 June 2024
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.
Example

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

Maps 14 June 2024
Bhisho is an unknown ghost town that happens to be the Capital of the Eastern Cape province for some reason.
Example

You would have to pay me to stay in Bhisho.

Maps 14 June 2024
Eastern Cape (EC) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are East London and Gqeberha.
Example

Eastern Cape is the Woolworths of all the South African provinces.

Maps 14 June 2024
East London, or eMonti a city on the southeastern coast of South Africa, in the Eastern Cape province.
Example

East London niggas are always full of shit.

Maps 14 June 2024
eMonti is the Xhosa name for East London, a city on the southeastern coast of South Africa.
Example

Masambe siye eMonti.

Let's go to East London.

Maps 14 June 2024

© 2020 Africtionary®