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.

Bhebha is a Zulu slang term that means to have sex.
Example

I know that guy, yho uyabhebha.

OD 15 May 2024

MD

MD is an abbreviation that has recently been used for Matric Dance. This is the farewell function for Matriculants or grade 12 learners in South Africa.
Example

My school's MD was lit.

Yanga CPT 10 May 2024
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.
Example

I wish I could see Ghost Lady some day.

Siya 10 May 2024
A chiller is the name given to a diehard fan of the popular South African podcast called Podcast and Chill with MacG.

Plural: Chillers
Example

I never miss an episode of Podcast and Chill because I'm a true Chiller.

Siya 10 May 2024
Podcast and Chill with MacG is a podcast owned and hosted by South African YouTuber MacG alongside Sol Phenduka and Ghost Lady. It is the biggest podcast in Africa in terms of numbers and popularity.

The podcast invites celebrities and public figures to take part in the Q&A sessions on the podcast.
Example

I really enjoy watching the Podcast and Chill. You can call me a Chiller.

Siya 10 May 2024
Sol Phenduka is a South African Podcaster, DJ and Radio personality who is the co-host of the popular podcast called Podcast and Chill, alongside MacG and Ghost Lady.
Example

I always listen to the Podcast and Chill for Sol Phenduka's puns.

Siya 10 May 2024
MacG is a South African DJ and Podcaster who runs the biggest podcast in Africa called Podcast and Chill, alongside Sol Phenduka and a host whose name is not revealed (referred to as the "Ghost Lady").

He owns the YouTube channel, MacG that has over a million subscribers.
Example

Did you see who MacG was interviewing today?

Siya 10 May 2024
A loyal friend
Example

Si smeme sam ke esi

Qaqamba 09 May 2024
A person with a heart made out of ice, with rotten intentions.
Example

Ngwanyana o wa tela.

Hlonipho 30 April 2024
A rather mysterious, if not mythical, forefather who invented circumcision as a means of passage into manhood for amaXhosa.
Example

Sibulela uSomagwaza.



We thank Somagwaza.

MXhosa 24 April 2024
To work; To get up against all odds and stand on business
Example

U Cisha no Gawst basathesha e studio;

Besithesha murtu e spani vandaag

Cishababhemu 09 April 2024
To work; to get up against all odds and stand on business; uku Thesha
Example

uCishababhemu no Gawst basa thesha phezu kwe tape ezophuma ngey' 19 April.

Cishababhemu 08 April 2024

© 2020 Africtionary®