When you come to South Africa this year, you may need to understand a few of the following (slang) words which are commonly used in the country:
A Babalaas (pronounced Bub-ba-lars) is what you are going to get from too much booze - a hell of a hangover!
A Bakkie (pronounced like "lucky") is a small truck like a 'pick-up' in the States or a 'Ute' in Australia, and comes either open at the back without a canopy, or closed in with a canopy.
Biltong is dried raw meat (maybe beef, ostrich or any South African buck, ie antelope). Called beef jerky in the US, it is an acquired taste, but a great snack with a variety of flavourings like spicy, garlic peri-peri etc. You have to try it when you're here.
A Boer means farmer in Afrikaans, but is often used to refer to any Afrikaans-speaking person.
Boerewors is a spicy farmstyle sausage and eaten regularly by most people in South Africa. Often shortened to 'boerie'.
A Braai (pronounced like "fly") is a barbecue. In South Africa we braai steak, boerewors, chicken, lamb etc. We do not braai hot dogs and hamburgers!
Bunny Chow is food, often curry or beans, served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread. The piece of bread taken out of the loaf is also given to you to dunk in the curry. An Indian speciality originating in Durban.
Dof (pronounced dorf) means dull, stupid or not too clever.
Dorp is a small town, usually in a rural area.
Dwaal (pronounced dwarl) means a dreamlike or confused state - vacuous with a blank stare.
Eina (pronounced ay-nah) means ouch!
Eish (pronounced aysh) is a Zulu expression for shock or surprise. "Eish! That was home goal!"
Howzit is the most common way of saying hallo to someone - the answer is often "No, fine thanks" where no means yes!
Just now means "soon" as in "I'll see you just now", which may mean in 10 minutes time, tomorrow, or next week! If you want to say "immediately", you say "now now".
Klippies and coke means brandy and coke, named after Klipdrift, a popular cheap brandy.
Lekker is an Afrikaans word used by many people of all language groups. It means nice, pleasant, good, etc.
A Laaitie (prononunced "lightey") means 'child' or 'youngster'.
An Ou (pronounced "O") means the same as bloke in English. Hence "a lekker ou" is "a good bloke"!
Padkos is an Afrikaans word meaning literally "road food". It refers to the sarmies (sandwiches), biltong, chips (crisps), cooldrink (soft drinks), and other lekker chow that you are taking on your journey.
A Robot is what we call a traffic light in South Africa.
A Samoosa (pronounced with an "oo") is the same as a 'samosa' in England.
A Skebenga is a Zulu word meaning "gangster, crook or ruffian".
Skinner means "gossip".
Smaak means "taste" in Afrikaans but is used as slang to mean "like or enjoy" as in "I smaak boerewors."
A Sosatie is like a kebab, but includes pieces of tomato, pepper, onion and/or fruit interspersed between the slices of meat or chicken. Delicious!
There are a host of other South African slang words, but this is just a taster.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
World Cup News
More interesting snippets from South Africa's newspapers:
Ticket sales slow: There are only five days left to submit applications for Soccer World Cup tickets in this current phase 3 and locals are being encouraged to make applications before the end of this week. South Africans have submitted more than half of the 800 000 applications so far. Only a million of the 3.1 million tickets have been allocated so far. The German, English and Dutch federations have not yet sold their full allocations. South Africans have a culture of waiting....and buying late, but officials are still worried about sales, particularly the low sales of tickets for matches involving African teams and South Africa's Bafana Bafana (which means "our boys" in Zulu).
Stab vests: A British company, Protektorvest, is cashing in on safety fears around the world cup, marketing stab-proof vests to soccer fans heading to South Africa. The SA national police commissioner is quoted as saying that "South Africa has hosted numerous big sporting events...and there were no incidents...So people must be careful not to be mislead by companies using scare strategies." It seems a bit extreme to us South Africans who live, work, shop and go to school here every day (without stab vests!), but visitors coming to SA for the World Cup will need to do whatever makes them feel more comfortable.
Maradona: The Argentinian soccer coach and legend is coming to South Africa tomorrow for a five-day tour. He has just completed a two-month ban, imposed by Fifa for an outburst against some journalists for underestimating Argentina's ability to qualify for the World Cup.
Beware of crocodiles!: It is reported that a young South African couple from the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal are in jail charged with the gruesome murder of a relative whom they allegedly first buried in a shallow grave and then dug up and fed to crocodiles in a river near Richards Bay. Crocodiles, hippos and (strangely enough) sharks are common in the rivers which flow into the Indian Ocean along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline north of Durban, so be careful if you fancy a swim, especially at night. Africa is not for sissies!
Ticket sales slow: There are only five days left to submit applications for Soccer World Cup tickets in this current phase 3 and locals are being encouraged to make applications before the end of this week. South Africans have submitted more than half of the 800 000 applications so far. Only a million of the 3.1 million tickets have been allocated so far. The German, English and Dutch federations have not yet sold their full allocations. South Africans have a culture of waiting....and buying late, but officials are still worried about sales, particularly the low sales of tickets for matches involving African teams and South Africa's Bafana Bafana (which means "our boys" in Zulu).
Stab vests: A British company, Protektorvest, is cashing in on safety fears around the world cup, marketing stab-proof vests to soccer fans heading to South Africa. The SA national police commissioner is quoted as saying that "South Africa has hosted numerous big sporting events...and there were no incidents...So people must be careful not to be mislead by companies using scare strategies." It seems a bit extreme to us South Africans who live, work, shop and go to school here every day (without stab vests!), but visitors coming to SA for the World Cup will need to do whatever makes them feel more comfortable.
Maradona: The Argentinian soccer coach and legend is coming to South Africa tomorrow for a five-day tour. He has just completed a two-month ban, imposed by Fifa for an outburst against some journalists for underestimating Argentina's ability to qualify for the World Cup.
Beware of crocodiles!: It is reported that a young South African couple from the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal are in jail charged with the gruesome murder of a relative whom they allegedly first buried in a shallow grave and then dug up and fed to crocodiles in a river near Richards Bay. Crocodiles, hippos and (strangely enough) sharks are common in the rivers which flow into the Indian Ocean along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline north of Durban, so be careful if you fancy a swim, especially at night. Africa is not for sissies!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
World Cup News
Accommodation: It's being reported in the South African papers that, while world cup accommodation is being booked heavily in Johannesburg, there is still plenty of room available in Durban. This appears to be because most of the teams are based in Joburg, and fans are choosing to stay there, fly to other venues for specific matches, stay overnight and fly back the next day. Durban guest houses and B&Bs in particular have vacancies, since the main hotels have block bookings from the media and Fifa officials. This means that those establishments will probably now be pretty negotiable, charging their normal rates, rather than the double prices they were hoping to charge during the world cup.
Visitor numbers: Newspapers are also reporting that the original high expectations of world cup visitors are unlikely to be reached. This is being attributed to a number of things: the world recession, the cost of long-haul flights to South Africa, the vastness of the country and the consequent cost of travel between venues and the logistics thereof, and fear of crime. As a result, those supporters that can afford to travel and persist with the logistic arrangements are likely to benefit if they are tough negotiators and resist high prices, certainly in regard to accommodation.
Terrorism: Most local newspapers are reporting that the threat of terrorism during the world cup is speculative, and nothing can be construed from the attack on the Togo soccer team in Angola. That was a local attack by local rebel militia and has no impact on South Africa itself. The South African government is of course saying that the country's intelligence structures are on top of the situation. Even the South African Institute of Race Relations which raised the spectre of an al-Qaeda attack recently, have said that "planning around the tournament appears to have been very effective as demonstrated by the now complete stadia. In almost every respect the factors that South Africa can control in arranging the world cup appear to be well under control."
Shark attack: The beaches near Cape Town have been re-openend after closure this week following a fatal attack by a great white shark at Fish Hoek on Tuesday. Two great whites were seen at Fish Hoek and two more at Muizenberg on Thursday and shark spotting by the National Sea Rescue Institute is continuing at a high level. Sharks of all kinds are something soccer fans will need to watch out for in South Africa this year!
Durban Airport: The brand new international airport at La Mercy, just north of Durban will start operations on 1st May this year, just in time for soccer fans to fly in. Word on the street is that the new airport, which will be officially named soon, is likely to be named after the nineteenth century Zulu king, Shaka.
Visitor numbers: Newspapers are also reporting that the original high expectations of world cup visitors are unlikely to be reached. This is being attributed to a number of things: the world recession, the cost of long-haul flights to South Africa, the vastness of the country and the consequent cost of travel between venues and the logistics thereof, and fear of crime. As a result, those supporters that can afford to travel and persist with the logistic arrangements are likely to benefit if they are tough negotiators and resist high prices, certainly in regard to accommodation.
Terrorism: Most local newspapers are reporting that the threat of terrorism during the world cup is speculative, and nothing can be construed from the attack on the Togo soccer team in Angola. That was a local attack by local rebel militia and has no impact on South Africa itself. The South African government is of course saying that the country's intelligence structures are on top of the situation. Even the South African Institute of Race Relations which raised the spectre of an al-Qaeda attack recently, have said that "planning around the tournament appears to have been very effective as demonstrated by the now complete stadia. In almost every respect the factors that South Africa can control in arranging the world cup appear to be well under control."
Shark attack: The beaches near Cape Town have been re-openend after closure this week following a fatal attack by a great white shark at Fish Hoek on Tuesday. Two great whites were seen at Fish Hoek and two more at Muizenberg on Thursday and shark spotting by the National Sea Rescue Institute is continuing at a high level. Sharks of all kinds are something soccer fans will need to watch out for in South Africa this year!
Durban Airport: The brand new international airport at La Mercy, just north of Durban will start operations on 1st May this year, just in time for soccer fans to fly in. Word on the street is that the new airport, which will be officially named soon, is likely to be named after the nineteenth century Zulu king, Shaka.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
World Cup Tourism
Tourism around the world cup venues:
Johannesburg: Mandela Museum (Soweto), Sterkfontein Caves, Lesedi Cultural Village, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg Planetarium, SA Transport Museum, Freedom Square, Market Theatre, Johannesburg Lion Park, Elephant Sanctuary, Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Bruma Lake, SAB World Of Beer, Montecasino Bird Gardens, Constitution Hill, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens.
Pretoria: Tswaing Meteorite Crater, Bon Accord Dam, Cullinan Diamond Mine, Premier Game Reserve, Crocodile Ramble, The Magalies Meander, Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary.
Rustenburg: Sun City and Lost City Resorts, Taung Heritage Site, Vredefort Dome, Pilanesberg National Park, Madikwe Game Reseve, Rustenburg Nature Reserve, Cradle of Humankind, De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust.
Polokwane: Gemco Arts & Crafts Centre, Polokwane Game Reserve, Modjadji Forest, Ysterberg Nature Resort, Makapansgat Caves, Cheune Crocodile Farm.
Durban: uShaka Marine World, Sun Coast Casino, Botanic Gardens, Phezulu Safari Park, Golden Mile Beaches, Sibaya Casino, Sharks Board, Dolphin and Whale Viewing, Deep Sea Fishing, Midlands Meander, Wilson's Wharf, Harbour Cruises, Drakensberg Mountains.
Bloemfontein: National Museum, Soetdoring Nature Reserve, Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve, Aventura Maselspoort, Bloemfontein Zoo, Loch Logan, Orchid House.
Port Elizabeth: Bayworld, Boardwalk Casino, Fort Frederick, The Island Nature Reserve, Seaview Lion Park, Nelson Mandela Art Museum, Kings Beach, Funtasia, Cape Recife Lighthouse.
Cape Town: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Castle of Good Hope, Victoria and Albert Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, Rhodes Memorial, Cape Winelands, Chapmans Peak.
Nelspruit: Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Potholes, Sudwala Caves, Kruger National Park, Pilgrim's Rest, Halls Estate, Dullstrom, Perry's Bridge Reptile Park, Chimpanzee Eden, White River History and Motor Museum.
Johannesburg: Mandela Museum (Soweto), Sterkfontein Caves, Lesedi Cultural Village, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg Planetarium, SA Transport Museum, Freedom Square, Market Theatre, Johannesburg Lion Park, Elephant Sanctuary, Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Bruma Lake, SAB World Of Beer, Montecasino Bird Gardens, Constitution Hill, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens.
Pretoria: Tswaing Meteorite Crater, Bon Accord Dam, Cullinan Diamond Mine, Premier Game Reserve, Crocodile Ramble, The Magalies Meander, Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary.
Rustenburg: Sun City and Lost City Resorts, Taung Heritage Site, Vredefort Dome, Pilanesberg National Park, Madikwe Game Reseve, Rustenburg Nature Reserve, Cradle of Humankind, De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust.
Polokwane: Gemco Arts & Crafts Centre, Polokwane Game Reserve, Modjadji Forest, Ysterberg Nature Resort, Makapansgat Caves, Cheune Crocodile Farm.
Durban: uShaka Marine World, Sun Coast Casino, Botanic Gardens, Phezulu Safari Park, Golden Mile Beaches, Sibaya Casino, Sharks Board, Dolphin and Whale Viewing, Deep Sea Fishing, Midlands Meander, Wilson's Wharf, Harbour Cruises, Drakensberg Mountains.
Bloemfontein: National Museum, Soetdoring Nature Reserve, Naval Hill and Franklin Game Reserve, Aventura Maselspoort, Bloemfontein Zoo, Loch Logan, Orchid House.
Port Elizabeth: Bayworld, Boardwalk Casino, Fort Frederick, The Island Nature Reserve, Seaview Lion Park, Nelson Mandela Art Museum, Kings Beach, Funtasia, Cape Recife Lighthouse.
Cape Town: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Castle of Good Hope, Victoria and Albert Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, Rhodes Memorial, Cape Winelands, Chapmans Peak.
Nelspruit: Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Potholes, Sudwala Caves, Kruger National Park, Pilgrim's Rest, Halls Estate, Dullstrom, Perry's Bridge Reptile Park, Chimpanzee Eden, White River History and Motor Museum.
Friday, January 8, 2010
World Cup News 08 01 2010
Here are some items of news that have been in the local SA newspapers recently:
Taxi permits: Tour operators, mini-bus taxi owners and metered taxi owners have been told that they need to apply and pay for special permits to transport fans and officials during the 2010 world cup, even if they currently have operating permits. They will then receive special 2010 stickers to display on their vehicles and visiting soccer fans will be encouraged to use only these approved vehicles.
Airport security: While Britain has said it will introduce full-body scanners at UK airports, South Africa is still discussing the need for such scanners. The SA government says that the country has plans to ensure the safety of all soccer lovers during the world cup, but there was no concern about local flight security.
Guinness world record: A local SA soccer fan, 29 year-old Thulani Ngcobo, is attempting to be entered into the Guinness World Record Book for the most matches attended at a world cup by an individual. He has obtained sufficient tickets to travel 17 000 kilometres between the nine host cities to watch 38 soccer matches during the tournament. The present record is 19 matches.
Soccer hooligans: The South African Dept of home Affairs has announced that an advance passenger processing system is in place to bar undesirable elements like soccer hooligans from boarding aircraft en route to South Africa. The Dept will work closely with Interpol, international travel agencies and FIFA to monitor the possible entry of soccer hooligans.
Prostitution: Two lobby groups, the SA National Aids Council and the Sex Workers Education Advocacy Taskforce are promoting the decriminalisation of prostitution in South Africa during the world cup. However, Dan Plato the Mayor of Cape Town has described the proposals as "nuts". Prostitution is illegal in South Africa and the countyy has the highest rate of HIV/Aids infection in the world.
Taxi permits: Tour operators, mini-bus taxi owners and metered taxi owners have been told that they need to apply and pay for special permits to transport fans and officials during the 2010 world cup, even if they currently have operating permits. They will then receive special 2010 stickers to display on their vehicles and visiting soccer fans will be encouraged to use only these approved vehicles.
Airport security: While Britain has said it will introduce full-body scanners at UK airports, South Africa is still discussing the need for such scanners. The SA government says that the country has plans to ensure the safety of all soccer lovers during the world cup, but there was no concern about local flight security.
Guinness world record: A local SA soccer fan, 29 year-old Thulani Ngcobo, is attempting to be entered into the Guinness World Record Book for the most matches attended at a world cup by an individual. He has obtained sufficient tickets to travel 17 000 kilometres between the nine host cities to watch 38 soccer matches during the tournament. The present record is 19 matches.
Soccer hooligans: The South African Dept of home Affairs has announced that an advance passenger processing system is in place to bar undesirable elements like soccer hooligans from boarding aircraft en route to South Africa. The Dept will work closely with Interpol, international travel agencies and FIFA to monitor the possible entry of soccer hooligans.
Prostitution: Two lobby groups, the SA National Aids Council and the Sex Workers Education Advocacy Taskforce are promoting the decriminalisation of prostitution in South Africa during the world cup. However, Dan Plato the Mayor of Cape Town has described the proposals as "nuts". Prostitution is illegal in South Africa and the countyy has the highest rate of HIV/Aids infection in the world.
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