Inkarhi waku dyondza yin’we yati ndzimu ta la Afrika Dzonga
“It’s time to learn one of the eleven official languages of South Africa”
I’ve always been a firm believer in trying to learn a couple of phrases of a country’s language before visiting it. Although I say this, I have often began to learn a few new words and then ended up feeling too overwhelmed and eventually given up. It’s due to this feeling that I have kept it to only a few, achievable phrases for you to learn in this blog post. It’s a wonderful feeling being able to greet and thank people in their own language; it can make a big impact on the people you interact with and allow you to immerse yourself further into the local culture.
I encourage you to take a stab at this fascinating local language here at Londolozi. During your stay you’ll hear snippets of Shangaan (a dialect of Tsonga), but be ready; I’ve found that it’s not the easiest language to learn. You’ll first notice that there are whistling sounds that you might never have been exposed to before, but don’t let this dishearten you, you will be warmly received at Londolozi with every Shangaan word you attempt.
I have been at Londolozi for a year now, and I am continuously encouraged to speak Shangaan with many willing helpers. The Shangaan culture is a friendly one, and the local people are always happy to help one improve.
To help you prep for your next Londolozi trip and to encourage my Shangaan practice a little more, Varty Camp Manager, Cry Sithole, helped me with a few phrases…
Camp Manager Cry Sithole
1. Starting with the Basics…
Good morning : Avuxeni Pronounced “avoo-sheni”
Good afternoon : Indzenga Pronounced “In-zen-ga”
How are you?: Kunjani? Pronounced “koon-jani?”
I’m fine thanks: Ndikona Pronounced “ndee-core-na”
2. The most important…
Thank you: Inkomu Pronounced “In-kor-moo”
Thank you very much: Inkomu Swinene Pronounced “In-kor-moo shen-neh-neh”
The “Sw” in “Swinene” is one of the unique Shangaan whistles, so the “shen” phonetic description isn’t entirely accurate. This is one which you’ll need some help pronouncing when you arrive here.
3. Telling your butler about your game drive…
I saw a leopard: Ndivone yingwe Said “In-dee-von-neh yee-een-gweh”
I saw a lion: Ndivone ngala Said “In-dee-von-neh in-gala”
I saw an elephant: Ndivone ndlopfu Said “In-dee-von-neh in-dlaw-pfoo”
Leopard : Yingwe
Elephant: Ndlopfu
Lion: Ngala
4. You’ll find you eat a lot at Londolozi, so this phrase is a useful one…
This meal was delicious: Swakudya swakunandzika Said “Swa-kooja swa-koo-nan-zika”
5. This phrase is just for fun, but it’s almost guaranteed you’ll want to use it…
These monkeys are naughty: Nkawu leyi ya bayize Pronounced “In-cow-oo buy-yeez-eh”
Londolozi offers a Village Walk whereby visitors are able to see a model of a traditional Shangaan village guided by Linah Lamula. Linah’s interpretation of culture and Shangaan history is fascinating and something one must experience while visiting Londolozi.
Linah Lamula, mother of the Londolozi Village.
It’s almost time to surprise your Tracker, Butler, Camp Manager and many other’s with a couple Shangaan words and phrases. Good luck!
Read more about the Shangaan history here.
*After chatting to a few other Shangaan speakers it was made clear to me that meanings may vary, and so the above is a flow of conversation which made sense to me in English translation.
This is lovely Jemma. Over the years I have learned a few phrases, although I do forget it when I do not practise it. I love it when the butlers say Inkomu Shinene. The best is Colbert’s Hakuna Matata even if it is not Shangaan.
Fabulous information Jemma. Wish I’d had it prior to my trip in November. I barely uttered “thank you “.
Thanks Jemma. I’ve been waiting for this for a while. All of my phrases have come from Cry and Colbert to date with mixed results!
Interesting piece!
Going to start practicing for the July visit!
Damn! I wish this Shangaan phrases blog had appeared last July or August so I could practice up for my visit to Londolozi in September.
I lived in Maputo, Mozambique for some years and learned many Shangaan phrases there. They are completely different and unintelligible from the phrases you wrote above. For instance, “Thank you’ was most definitely pronounced “Canimambo” (Kan-EE-mam-bo). Can you tell me why then I can’t recognize a single word of the phrases stated above as “Shangaan”? I”m not criticizing, I am very curious to understand this disconnect. Thanks for your time!
Hi Megan, the language spoken in this area is referred to as Shangaan or Tsonga by the locals. I know that a lot of the language is derived from Mozambique, but over time they may have become different dialects. However I am no specialist in languages and am sure there will be someone who has done some research into how the language as spread and changed.
Hi Megan, like English, Shangaan words are categorical as well. There could be 3 or 4 words that mean the same. Again the same Shangan or Tsonga have many dialects or sub tribes ie. Rhonga, Tswa, Hlengwe, Tsonga, Nkuna etc. The word Thank you can be translated to 1. Inkomu, 2. Khanimambo. 3. Nikhensile whilst “swinene” is very much. Thank you very much then becomes Inkomu swinene.
This is a fantastic article! Thank you so much. We always have the kids learn some important pieces to native languages when we travel and this is a great addition!