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

21:01

21:01 is a term that is used to refer to an after 9 - a secretly gay person.

Example

I have so many stories about the 21:01 gang.

Chief • 23 May 2025

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South Africa

Ganja

Ganja is a widely used term to refer to weed or marijuana.

Example

I'm gonna go home and smoke some ganja.

Chief • 23 May 2025

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South Africa

Niggasaures

A group of racist individuals that also have a love for mango flavored vapes.

Example

The niggasaures had a beat off last week.

Itu • 13 October 2024

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South Africa

Nikhona

Nikhona is a Nguni term that means “are y’all here?” or “are y’all around?”

This term is mostly seen in TikTok comments by South Africans when they invade people’s comment sections.

Example

No one:

South Africans in comments: Nikhona? 🇿🇦

Chief • 17 May 2024

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South Africa

IZawa

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

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South Africa

isiXhosa

Xhosa

IsiXhosa is a Nguni language that is spoken in South Africa and some parts of Zimbabwe. It is the language with the clicks.

Example

Ndithetha isiXhosa ekhaya.

I speak Xhosa at home.

MXhosa • 12 October 2022

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South Africa

Mvelinqangi

UMvelinqangi is a Nguni word which translates to "the Most High" or "Divine Consciousness"; that is considered the source of all that has been, that is and all that ever will be.

Example

Mvelinqangi, the creator, came out of the reed. He brought out men, women, animals, corn, and all the fruits of the earth

Skhokho • 28 November 2021

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South Africa

isiXhosa

Rha

Pronounced (ggggaaah); this is a Xhosa term for ‘ew’. It has many uses, for instance when something disgusts you or when someone says you and someone would look good together then you say ‘rha’.

Synonym; sies

Example

*sees something very disgusting*

Me: Rha

Yongama • 30 October 2021

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