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.

An exclamation used to congratulate someone, honour or praise someone or something, or to express joy or celebration; β€˜Bravo!’, β€˜Hooray!’.
Example

Halala, siyakubongela sisi.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
A South African term that denotes that a person or thing that is authentic, real, or legitimate.
Example

Zambuk is the real makoya.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
Iqobelo is a term that means something is real or authentic.
Example

Come buy from me, I only sell iqobelo.

Percy 28 April 2025
Tsek is a shortened version of Voetsek, an insulting dismissal or exclamation of disgust.
Example

Tsek wena, I don't want to talk to you.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
The youth structures of the ANC, founded during the 1940s.
Example

I used to be a member of the ANCYL.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
"Khongolose" is a Zulu word, often used colloquially, that translates to "congress" or "the ANC," which stands for the African National Congress, a South African political party. It's essentially a slang term or a nickname for the ANC.
Example

Phatha Khongolose, phatha.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
Zambuk Ointment is a popular ointment used for temporary relief of pain and itch. In Mzansi, it is mostly used for lips. People carry it in their pockets and bags. It is one of the most stolen items, together with pens at school.
Example

Can I use your zambuk.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
Chomi is a South African slang term for "friend", "pal", "mate".
Example

Chomi, let's go out tonight.

MzansiEdits 28 April 2025
Imenemene is a traitor or just a crook.
Example

Yho limenemene la sisi.

Faku 29 April 2025
Sondela is a Xhosa term that means come closer.
Example

Sondela, sthandwa, sondela.

Faku 29 April 2025
Sthandwa means β€œmy love” or β€œbaby”.
Example

I love you, sthandwa.

Faku 29 April 2025
A lady who has interactions with multiple males
Example

That lady is a skhaftin last week she was with a different guy

Awethu 01 May 2025

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