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.

Kempton Park is a city in the East Rand region of Gauteng province, South Africa. It is part of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. It is situated south of Tembisa, one of the largest townships in South Africa, which is also part of Ekurhuleni. South Africa's busiest airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport is located in Kempton Park.
Example

We need to go to the airport in Kempton Park.

Maps 14 June 2024
Germiston, also known as kwaDukathole, is a city in the East Rand region of Gauteng, South Africa.
Example

I hate travelling to Germiston in the morning. The traffic is crazy.

Maps 14 June 2024
Edenvale is a small city on the East Rand in Gauteng, South Africa. It lies about halfway between the O.R. Tambo International Airport and the Johannesburg city centre.
Example

I grew up in Edenvale

Maps 14 June 2024
Boksburg is a city on the East Rand of Gauteng province of South Africa. Gold was discovered in Boksburg in 1887. Boksburg was named after the State Secretary of the South African Republic, W. Eduard Bok.
Example

I can't wait to visit my brother in Boksburg.

Maps 14 June 2024
Bedfordview is an affluent suburb in western Ekurhuleni, sharing an administrative boundary with the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng, South Africa. Bedfordview has been part of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality since 2000.
Example

We are going to Eastgate mall in Bedfordview.

Maps 14 June 2024
The East Rand is a major urban area located in the Gauteng province of South Africa. It includes the towns of Bedfordview, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Edenvale, Germiston, Kempton Park, Linksfield and Modderfontein.
Example

I grew up in the East Rand.

Maps 14 June 2024
1632 is the area code of Tembisa, a township in Gauteng, South Africa.
Example

I represent 1632 till I die!

Maps 14 June 2024
Tembisa or Thembisa is a large township situated to the north of Kempton Park on the East Rand, Gauteng, South Africa.
Example

Tembisa is my Kasi. 1632 for life.

Maps 13 June 2024
Mambisa is an informal name used to refer to Tembisa township.
Example

I was born and bred in Mambisa.

Maps 13 June 2024
Brakpan is a mining town on the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa. It is known as the Alabama of South Africa, or the armpit of South Africa.
Example

If you divorce your wife in Brakpan, she remains your sister.

Maps 13 June 2024
This is Zulu for masturbation.
Example

Uyayishaya indlwabu mfana wami.

Masiya 13 June 2024
A Mzansi slang for guy or friend or boy.
Example

What’s up boyzin.

Siya 13 June 2024

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