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.

Mentally challenged,crazy
Example

Ngwanola o zodwa

AishArn 19 October 2021
Sibeko is a term that has been used to refer to a drunkard. This is due to a character from the famous South African sitcom, Emzini wezinsizwa, who was always drunk.

Now Sibeko is synonymous for drunkard.
Example

Why did you give him money, don't you know he's a Sibeko?

MXhosa 17 October 2021
Ikaka is a term that means shit
Example

Uthetha ikaka kwedini
You are talking shit young boy

MXhosa 16 October 2021
Izinyanya is a Xhosa term for ancestors.
Example

Ndiyabulela kuni zinyanya.

MXhosa 05 October 2021
Danko is the same as Afrikaans word dankie which symbolises acceptance and appreciation, it basically means thank you.
Example

The South African government said Danko to everyone who got vaccinated.

Colani 23 September 2021
Hierso is a South African slang term that means "Here", "Right here". It is taken from the Afrikaans language.
Example

"I'll be hierso goseng, wa nkolota" - Khuli Chana in No More Hunger

Danny 08 September 2021
Dubane is a slang term for the City of Durban. Used predominantly by the Zulu speaking population of KwaZulu Natal.
Example

Hamb' obuza ngami in Dubane they know.

Danny 08 September 2021
Nelly M is the name that the recent generation / Social Media has given to former South African president, Nelson Mandela.
Example

I miss Nelly M, things would be better if he was still alive.

Varsity Dude 27 August 2021
Iqaba is a Nguni term for a barbarian or a person believed to be uncivilised or uncultured.

Plural Amaqaba
Example

They used to call me iqaba because I come from the villages.

Mr Trends 23 August 2021
A kasi term for a club or a party or a place where a party takes place
Example

Asambe siye enkwarini

Kelebogile dlamini 09 August 2021
Is the slang term for Ga-Rankuwa, a township in Tshwane/Pitori.
Example

I'm coming from Rankuwa.

Mr Trends 08 August 2021
Thuso Phala is a popular dance move that was first started by the South African soccer player named Thuso Phala.
Example

I'm learning the Thuso Phala dance.

Varsity Dude 08 August 2021

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