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.

Xokshame is a Xhosa social media slang term for "I am joking / I am lying".
Example

I hate my ex girlfriend. Lol xokshame.

MXhosa 29 November 2022
Is someone whom u consider to be ur brother / someone close to u but some people think that a male bestie is someone who wants to ruin ur relationship. That is not true, a male bestie is like a boy bestie.
Example

A male bestie stands by u when u are in tough times

Shaba 28 November 2022
Majita Monday is a movement striving to create a safe space for men to talk about their emotional intelligence and mental wellness. It is celebrated every Monday with the hashtag #MajitaMonday.
Example

Happy Majita Monday to you all, gents ❤

CG 28 November 2022
Someone who is not good at something
Example

Chomi ya ka ke patla ka bolo

Philly Kabelo 28 November 2022
A guy/ gentleman/clever man
Example

How's it Mjita; 'm just Moja (fine)

JB Zwa 20 November 2022
Used to define a beautiful girl with nyash,like your imaginary hun
Example

That hun is a stocko

Clownese 20 November 2022
A frontal refers to a hairpiece that has a strip of material which runs from ear to ear.
Example

Every girl deserves ifrontal this December.

Sinazo 15 November 2022
A man who has underwent initiation into manhood following the traditional teachings and cultural practices of amaHlubi.
Example

IZawa liyahlonipha.



IZawa is a respectful person

Hlubelihle Ka 11 November 2022
Ukusarha is a slang term that means you are always asking for things from people. For example, you are always asking for free alcohol, you never buy.
Example

Yho I don't wanna chill with that guy again, uyasharha.

MXhosa 10 November 2022
To ukusikiphiko is when you are in the front seat of a car and have your elbow outside of the window.
Example

Did you see him in his friend's car, ebesikiphiko and pretending not to see us.

MXhosa 10 November 2022
Nkandla is a town in the uThungulu district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is the district where former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma is from.
Example

I want to visit Nkandla this December.

DRex 08 November 2022
Cyril Ramaphosa is the current president of the Republic of South Africa.
Example

We are calling for Cyril Ramaphosa to answer for his Phala Phala farm saga.

Sinazo 07 November 2022

© 2020 Africtionary®