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.

Chomi is a South African slang term for "friend", "pal", "mate".
Example

Chomi, let's go out tonight.

MzansiEdits • 28 April 2025
Zambuk Ointment is a popular ointment used for temporary relief of pain and itch. In Mzansi, it is mostly used for lips. People carry it in their pockets and bags. It is one of the most stolen items, together with pens at school.
Example

Can I use your zambuk.

MzansiEdits • 28 April 2025
The youth structures of the ANC, founded during the 1940s.
Example

I used to be a member of the ANCYL.

MzansiEdits • 28 April 2025
A South African term that denotes that a person or thing that is authentic, real, or legitimate.
Example

Zambuk is the real makoya.

MzansiEdits • 28 April 2025
Khaltsha is a term that is used to refer to the township of Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
Example

Masambe siye eKhaltsha, mfowethu.

Percy • 27 April 2025
Gugs is a shortened term that referes to the township of Gugulethu in Cape Town.
Example

Ndiphuma eGugs

Percy • 27 April 2025
Gugulethu is a township in Western Cape, South Africa and is around 20km from Cape Town. Its name is a contraction of igugu lethu, which is Xhosa for our pride / our hope.
Example

When i visit Cape Town, I make sure I go to Gugulethu.

Percy • 27 April 2025
Kapa is the Xhosa name for Cape Town.
Example

Ndiphuma eKapa mna.

Percy • 27 April 2025
A cylon is a term generally used in Gqeberha that means a crazy person or a psycho.
Example

Yi cylon maan lawey.

Percy • 27 April 2025

PSL

PSL is the acronym for Premier Soccer League, which is the South African top flight soccer/football league.
Example

We can't let Mamelodi Sundowns win the PSL title again 🤦🏾‍♂️

Percy • 27 April 2025
Street kid is a term used in South Africa to refer to homeless kids, living on the streets.
Example

I almost a became a street kid when I lost my mother.

Yanga CPT • 25 April 2025
Jomo is a name given to a kasi kid that has a big head. They are usually very good at football (like Jomo Sono)
Example

Did you see that goal by Jomo?

Stanley • 21 April 2025

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