About the Author

Michael Harmon

Guest contributor

Michael found his first Londolozi track as a sophomore in college when he picked up Boyd Varty’s Cathedral of the Wild. In it, Michael saw a place that embodied his childhood fascination with the culture and warmth of Africa and knew he had ...

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15 Comments

on The Sounds of Londolozi: a Lekker Field Guide to South African Slang

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Only in this wonderful country will you find a “language” as unique as ours. We are truly a rainbow nation.

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

Ah communicating with people that think they understand you, I once explained to an American that I was picked as the hooker for my school’s rugby team … I was rewarded with a very worried look

Annie.Lane07
Explorer

Very interesting. 👍

Karin Maclarty
Explorer

Another great blog Michael. Jislaaik is another of my all time favourites. An incredibly versatile expression.

Peggy Fox
Explorer

Love this! And the image of a warthog driving a Landie is priceless. Needs to be put on paper!

Dina Petridis
Senior Digital Ranger

Always ready for more Afrikaans and Shangaan and local combinations …
being from Belgium .My husband Guido always brings his notes written phonetically

Michael and Terri Klauber
Master Tracker

OMG Michael! What a riot! Maybe your “dictionary” should be in all the rooms for the guests to practice with before venturing out on their first encounter with the Londolozi staff! 😉

Lisa Antell
Master Tracker

This is HECTIC! I especially love the “nows” Americans don’t get that at all!

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Michael, what a wonderful blog, I loved the photo of family at Londolozi!

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

Will save this for the next visit!

Al Kaiser
Digital Tracker

Epic! Please let this be volume 1 of many. I always enjoy more conversations with Colbert.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

This certainly brought a smile to me as I’ve struggled with both the Shangaan and Afrikaans expressions and slang. I am printing this to have for my next trip…… great writing!!

Callum Evans
Master Tracker

Got to love the nature of SA slang!!

Gay Walker
Explorer

This made me laugh! I live in the UK now and have confused my English born friends with this vocabulary especially the ‘just now’ phrase meaning ‘later’ for me and ‘now now’ for my friends.

Mike Ryan
Explorer

Hilarious, my favorites, although you do not get them in the bush are Robots (Traffic Lights) and Circles (Roundabouts). Try asking someone directions and you get “you go over the circle and right at the robot”. Wow understand that!

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