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.

South Africa
isiZulu

Shisa Nyama

Of Zulu origin, this directly translates to "burn meat". It is the Zulu equivalent to a braai. In most cases, it refers to a place that sells and "braais" meet.
Example

Let's go braai some meat at that Shisa Nyama.

Chief • 23 July 2020
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South Africa

Ramabillion

This refers to President Cryil Ramaphosa. He was given this nickname after he announced R500 billion Covid-19 relief fund. He was throwing billions like he was throwing boxing punches.
Example

Don't worry, President Ramabillion has promised us a R350 covid grant.

DRex • 23 July 2020
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South Africa
Sepitori

Lepopotane

A term in Sepitori that refers to those small cellphones with no internet. Those phones you just use for calls and sms. Xhosa people call it tilili
Example

I use my lepopotane for my side chicks, and I make sure I hide it inside the spare wheel so that my main chick doesn't see it.

Mr Trends • 21 July 2020
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South Africa
Sepitori

Lepyatla

This term is commonly used to refer to a very beautiful and attractive girl. This word originates from S'pitori, commonly known as Pretoria.
Example

Tjo ngwana ona na ke lepyatla.

Olebogeng • 21 July 2020
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South Africa
Tsotsitaal / Scamto

Tsotsi

This is a general kasi term for a criminal.
Example

He got mugged by some Tsotsi from town.

Sinazo • 20 July 2020
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South Africa
Tsotsitaal / Scamto

Kasi

A South African slang term for township.
Example

I come form ekasi.

Sinazo • 20 July 2020
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South Africa
Afrikaans

Hoezit

Slang word for "how is it". It comes from the Afrikaans term "Hoe is dit" and people just decided to change the spelling.
Example

Man 1: Eita da, hoezit?

Man 2: Sharp hoezit da?

Man 1: Fede nja yami.

Sinazo • 20 July 2020
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South Africa
isiZulu

Mkhaba

A Zulu term that refers to a huge belly, mostly seen in tenderpreneurs. Sotho people can spell it as mokhaba.
Example

Stomach in, chest out. Umkhaba must fall.

Sinazo • 20 July 2020
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South Africa

Tenderpreneur

In South Africa, a tenderpreneur is a person in government or the private sector who obtains private or government tenders and contracts to facilitate outsourced services. You see them by their huge mkhaba, flashy cars and expensive clothes and alcohol.
Example

That mkhaba is not normal. It's definitely a mkhaba of a tenderpreneur.

Sinazo • 20 July 2020
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South Africa
isiXhosa

SBWL

Sbwl is a Xhosa shorthand for “sabaweli”. Sabaweli, which in turn is a shorthand of “andisabaweli, andisayibaweli, etc.”, is built from the root word “ukubawela” which means to crave, want, desire, wish for, fancy, yearn, etc.
Example

1. Umntu wakho xa ebona mna, uthi sbwl. >> When your person sees me, s/he says sbwl.

2. Sbwl beer today.



3. Sbwl the coronavirus to just disappear.

Sinazo • 19 July 2020
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South Africa
Setswana

Akere

"A kere" or " Akere" is a commonly spoken interjection in Setswana, which often translates to "is it not?" or "isn't it" in short. It is usually placed at the end of a declarative sentence to turn it into a question.
Example

"Leina la gago ke Thabo, akere?" >> Your name is Tshepo, isn't it?

Mr Trends • 19 July 2020
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South Africa

Woolworths

Also known as Woolies. This is a retail store that went to a private school. You go in there with your deep Zulu accent, but come out with that private school accent.
Example

1. I speak like this because I drink Woolworths water every morning.

2. Tanqueray is the Woolworths of Gins.

DRex • 19 July 2020
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