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.

Add a South African word

South Africa

Dintshang

What's going on, what's up

Example

Hey, dintshang?

Thusanang Kennedy • 21 July 2023

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South Africa

Lesufism

The act of pretending to be doing something while doing absolutely nothing. It was perfected by Panyaza Lesufi, Bheki Cele and Fikile Mbalula.

Lesufism involves; a strong PR team, looking busy, taking pictures, and garnering a huge following.

Example

Nothing will happen there, they will just take pictures and address the people. That’s lesufism for you.

Danny • 20 July 2023

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South Africa

Tsonga

It is a language

Example

I speak Tsonga

lesetja • 03 July 2023

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South Africa

Bobosi

Ibobosi is a term used in Gqeberha that means a shack.

Example

I'm going back to ibobosi lam very soon.

MXhosa • 24 June 2023

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South Africa

BBL

BBL is short for Brazilian Butt Lift. This is what these influencers do to make their nyash big.

Example

“Skatlo nyela wena ka BBL that looks like rugby player’s shoulders” - Seemah

Siya • 23 June 2023

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South Africa

impundu

One thing that makes men go crazy

Example

Ndizthandela nje impundu

iDyan ayinophila uba ayityi mpundu

Sibeko • 07 June 2023

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South Africa

Gauteng

Gauteng is the smallest yet richest province in South Africa. That is where you will find Johannesburg and Pitori

Example

I was born and raised in the Gauteng Province.

MXhosa • 19 May 2023

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South Africa

Amapanyaza

Amapanyaza is the name given to the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens who were deployed by the Premier, Panyaza Lesufi.

Example

Amapanyaza are doing a great job in fighting crime in Gauteng.

MXhosa • 19 May 2023

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South Africa

Shandis

A term used to refer to "something" or a thing.

Example

Have you seen that shandis?

Skhokho • 11 May 2023

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South Africa

Brother Bernard

(noun)

The situation of slipping, tripping or falling down due to external pressures. These might include tertiary academics, relationships, and being broke.

Example

Brother Bernard, this will kill me a real death.

Shaba • 30 April 2023

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South Africa

clever black

A sarcastic phrase used to describe a black person who thinks he is smart but whose actions perpetuate the oppression black people. Sometimes black thieving leaders and their supporters use it to try to embarrass black opponents.

Example

Example 1

Guy 1: What happened to that radical student leader, Tshepo?

Guy 2: He became a kleva black after getting a nice job in government.

Example 2

Thieving leader: We can't take this country forward because clever blacks are blocking our efforts.

Khisa • 10 April 2023

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