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.

A Xhosa name for a traditional nurse that takes care of an initiate (umkhwetha) during initiation (circumcision).
Example

Ikhankatha plays a major role during initiation.

Sinazo • 08 May 2021
A South African newspaper that publishes bullshit stories that other newspapers don't want to publish.
Example

I can tell from the bullshit you are saying that you get your news from Daily Sun.

Skhokho • 07 May 2021
Bosso is a slang term for boss.

Boss is someone who spins a car asa e namela.

Boss is someone who eats Rice Crispy with Whiskey.
Example

That guy ke bosso.

DRex • 07 May 2021
A Tsonga term for "his friend / her friend" that is apparently used to identify unknown soccer players by commentators.

They would call all the names of the "famous" players and when they reach the unknown player, they would say mngani wa yena (his friend).
Example

And he passes the ball to Jabu Pule... Jabu Pule passes to mngani wa yena.

DRex • 05 May 2021
A plastic miner’s helmet cut, moulded and painted to make headgear worn by fans at football matches.
Example

I used to wear makarapa when I went to watch the game.

DRex • 05 May 2021
An enclosure for livestock, or a rural village of huts surrounded by a stockade.
Example

Make sure the kraal is clean before the elders come back.

DRex • 05 May 2021
Common South African greeting that translates roughly as β€œHow are you?”, β€œHow are things?” or just β€œHello”. It is derived from β€œHow is it?”
Example

Ola my bro, howzit there?

Danny • 05 May 2021
Is an Afrikaans term for complitely fed up or very upset.
Example

I am gatvol with Kaizer Chiefs.

Danny • 05 May 2021
Dagga is another term for marijuanna or weed.
Example

No one:

Parents: You are failing because of the dagga you are smoking.

Danny • 05 May 2021
A spicy vegetable dish traditionally served as a sauce or relish with bread, pap, samp, stews or curries
Example

A braai is not complete without chakalaka.

Danny • 05 May 2021
Curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread, with the hollowed-out piece of bread placed on top.
Example

I am gonna have a bunny chow for lunch.

Danny • 05 May 2021
A South African slang term for food / to eat.
Example

1. Food - They serve nice chow there.

2. Eat - Let's go chow before the dining hall closes.

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021

© 2020 Africtionary®