Meanings of commonly used phrases in South Africa
Sometimes (white) South Africans are left wondering as to the meanings of certain
African language phrases/expressions etc. that we may hear often.
Term |
Meaning |
Explanation |
Yebo Gogo |
"Yes Grandma" |
This is well-known from the advertising of telecommunications company Vodacom.
(Sometimes unwittingly used by people as a general greeting) |
Ubuntu |
Humanity |
Principle of humanity |
Batho Pele |
"People First" |
The motto of the South African civil service |
Bafana Bafana |
"The Boys" |
Name of South Africa's national soccer team |
Banyana Banyana |
"The Girls" |
South African senior women's football squad |
On TV: |
Ya Mampela |
"The Real Thing" |
SABC 1's new name (since discontinued, because it was WRONG!) |
Simunye |
"We are one" |
SABC 1's old name |
Motswako |
The Mix ("mixture") |
Talk show on SABC 2 |
Yizo Yizo |
"This is it", "This is reality", "That's the way it is", "This is how things are" |
A (very good IMO) drama series on SABC1 on Thursday nights |
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