Tjotjo

A term used to refer to a bribe, usually given to cops or traffic officers.


I gave him some tjotjo and he let me go.



Jou mase gat

This is an Afrikaans swear term that directly translates to “your mother’s vagina”. It’s similar to jou mase poes.


Voetsek with your nonsense, Jou mase gat.



Imoto

Imoto is a Nguni term for a car.


Xhosa: Ndiyayithanda imoto yam.
Zulu: Ngiyayithanda imoto yami.



Bergie

A derogatory term, originally referred to homeless people who sheltered in the forests of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. It’s now a derogatory word for homeless people in general.


He left home now he is a bergie.



Arthur Zwane

A plumber who is the current coach of Kaizer Chiefs.


Don’t worry, Arthur Zwane is rebuilding.



Mabena

A Mabena is a person who is always making mistakes and who is a disappointment.


Disappoint me again, Mabena.



Whuzet

Is a popular Xhosa slang which means What's going on. It's most popular in the Eastern Cape streets.


Whuzet nawe nalamntana uMbali?



Habiya

Another Xhosa term for vamna - which means a love portion given to your lover to make you love more.


"Ndingayitya nephepha layo lo habiya" - Driemanskap



Frontal

A frontal refers to a hairpiece that has a strip of material which runs from ear to ear.


Every girl deserves ifrontal this December.



Iyeza

Iyeza is anything and everything that heals.


Ina iyeza, sela iyeza.




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