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.

Ilawu is a very offensive term mostly used by Xhosa people to refer to Coloureds.
Example

I saw your friend walking with elinye ilawu.

Skhokho 16 June 2025
Ikula is an offensive term used to refer to Indian people.
Example

He speaks like that because he is dating ikula.

Skhokho 16 June 2025
Mogodu is a South African dish which is a combination of chopped serobe (tripe) and mala (intestines), served as a stew often with hot pap or dumpling
Example

I can’t wait for Monday so that I can have mogodu at Mogodu Monday.

Mamba 17 June 2025
In South African restaurants, Mondays are known as Mogodu Mondays, where they serve Mogodu, usually on special.
Example

Let’s go to Mogodu Monday next week.

Mamba 17 June 2025
Katlehong is a large township in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. It is 28 km south-east of Johannesburg and south of Germiston between two other townships of Thokoza and Vosloorus, next to the N3 highway. It forms part of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
Example

I represent Katlehong till I die.

DRex 21 June 2025
Vosloorus is a large township situated south of Boksburg and just east of Katlehong in Ekurhuleni, just 30 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Example

I need to visit Vosloorus very soon.

DRex 21 June 2025
Mbhaqanga is the Xhosa version of Maskandi music.
Example

My dad is always listening to Mbhaqanga.

Percy 21 June 2025
A diverse Southern African nation with multiple capitals, known for wildlife and post-apartheid development.
Example

South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first in Africa.

Travel Admin 23 June 2025
South Africa's financial capital, born from gold mining and now a multicultural metropolis.
Example

Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum documents the struggle against racial segregation.

Travel Admin 23 June 2025
South Africa's scenic coastal city beneath Table Mountain.
Example

Cape Town's Robben Island held Nelson Mandela for 18 years.

Travel Admin 23 June 2025
Coastal city with the busiest port in Africa and rich Indian cultural influences.
Example

Durban's Golden Mile beachfront is a major tourist attraction.

Travel Admin 23 June 2025
Administrative capital known for its jacaranda-lined streets and government buildings.
Example

Pretoria's Union Buildings house the South African presidency.

Travel Admin 23 June 2025

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