Word of the Day [05 Nov 2026]

Qobelo

Iqobelo is a term that means something is real or authentic.


Come buy from me, I only sell iqobelo.

Intusi

Intusi sisithetha-ntonye sobisi. Intusi is Milk in isiXhosa dialect.


Intusi yesizwe isengwa ezinkomeni zelali.

Mambo

Mambo is a versatile Swahili word that can be used in various contexts. It’s a casual greeting among friends, akin to saying “What’s up?".


Friend 1: Mambo (What's up)
Friend 2: Poa (Cool)


Ikhankatha

A Xhosa name for a traditional nurse that takes care of an initiate (umkhwetha) during initiation (circumcision).


Ikhankatha plays a major role during initiation.

Woto Woto

Often heard in football commentary, woto woto describes relentless attack or punishment. In casual conversations, it’s used to describe someone who’s taking a figurative “beating” in an argument or facing harsh circumstances.


"The strikers gave him woto woto" implies they played aggressively, leaving no room for escape.


Vuvuzela

A plastic horn/trumpet that is mostly blown in soccer matches. It produces a loud monotone note. It became very popular in South Africa in the 1990s. A fan of the Kaizer Chiefs named Freddie "Saddam" Maake says that he invented the vuvuzela.


Don't forget your vuvuzela when we go to the stadium.

iqula

It's a Xhosa word for a cologne


Can you borrow me your qula


Ingidi

Ingidi is a slang term of "big booty or big ass".


That girl have Ingidi.

Inqaba

Can be called "nqaba" is another word for Castle Lager, one of South Africa's favourite beer.


I am definitely buying myself inqaba after work.


Nkqayi

Inkqayi is a Xhosa term for chiskop. Like when you cut all of your hair (bald).
A lot of people misspell it as nqayi.


Soze ndiphinde ndichebe inkqayi.

Mjondolo

A figurative term used by South African students when they plan to create a WhatsApp group and share test questions.


Ukhona umjondolo osuvuliwe bahlali? Phela ziyakhala k'sasa




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