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.

Khayelitsha is a township in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, on the Cape Flats. The name is Xhosa for New Home. It is reputed to be one of the largest and fastest-growing townships in South Africa.
Example

I was born and bred in Khayelitsha.

Yanga CPT 17 May 2024

Hun

Hun is a South African slang term for a girl or chick.
Example

Khayelitsha huns will finish your money and leave you.

Yanga CPT 17 May 2024
Baps is a South African slang term for sex.
Example

Okes will baps your hun without even thinking twice.

Yanga CPT 17 May 2024
Show me your number is a popular soccer/football skill in South Africa, where the player pretends to shoot the ball and the defender ducks, hence showing his/her number to the attacker.
Example

They hit him with a β€œshow me your number” and the crowd went crazy.

Cody 16 May 2024
Bhebha is a Zulu slang term that means to have sex.
Example

I know that guy, yho uyabhebha.

OD 15 May 2024
Ghost Lady is the co-host of the popular South African Podcast called Podcast and Chill with MacG and Sol Phenduka. As the name suggests, she doesn't appear on camera and her real name is unknown, but she plays a major role in the running of the Podcast.
Example

I wish I could see Ghost Lady some day.

Siya 10 May 2024
A chiller is the name given to a diehard fan of the popular South African podcast called Podcast and Chill with MacG.

Plural: Chillers
Example

I never miss an episode of Podcast and Chill because I'm a true Chiller.

Siya 10 May 2024
Podcast and Chill with MacG is a podcast owned and hosted by South African YouTuber MacG alongside Sol Phenduka and Ghost Lady. It is the biggest podcast in Africa in terms of numbers and popularity.

The podcast invites celebrities and public figures to take part in the Q&A sessions on the podcast.
Example

I really enjoy watching the Podcast and Chill. You can call me a Chiller.

Siya 10 May 2024
Sol Phenduka is a South African Podcaster, DJ and Radio personality who is the co-host of the popular podcast called Podcast and Chill, alongside MacG and Ghost Lady.
Example

I always listen to the Podcast and Chill for Sol Phenduka's puns.

Siya 10 May 2024
MacG is a South African DJ and Podcaster who runs the biggest podcast in Africa called Podcast and Chill, alongside Sol Phenduka and a host whose name is not revealed (referred to as the "Ghost Lady").

He owns the YouTube channel, MacG that has over a million subscribers.
Example

Did you see who MacG was interviewing today?

Siya 10 May 2024
Get a seamstress or a taylor to make you an outfit, because my relationship is getting serious and I may be getting married soon.
Example

Thungisani it's looks like things are looking good.

Ayanda Msibi 15 January 2024
A trash can, dustbin
Example

Ndizalahla apa le ekumgqomo

ZuluSon 16 October 2023

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