South Africans recently discovered that “gatvol” is now officially in the Oxford English Dictionary. Naturally, we had to find out which other proudly South African words the world has learned to love.
South Africa (20 August 2025) – Some South Africans have just discovered that our beloved slang word “gatvol” (which perfectly captures the feeling of being utterly fed-up) has made its way into the Oxford English Dictionary. And suddenly, everyone is a little bit prouder, a little bit louder and a whole lot more curious about which other proudly South African words the world has decided to officially recognise.
Well, we actually reported on the “Gatvol” addition in March but some of you missed it. And we started wondering, what else have we missed? Are there more South Africanisms added to the Oxford?
Good news! We found quite a few.
Some are recent additions from the March 2025 update and others have been around in the OED for a few years now. Together, they tell the story of who we are: colourful, creative, expressive and unapologetically South African.
The New Kids On The Block (March 2025 update):
- Gatvol: You know this one. Done. Finished. Had enough.
- Makarapa: Those decorated hard hats that turned from mining gear into sporting fanfare. If you’ve been to a football match in SA, you’ve seen them.
- Moggy: Someone a bit off-centre or repellent. It’s been around for decades.
- Seshweshwe / Shweshwe: Traditional printed fabric, instantly recognisable and proudly worn.
- Sharp-sharp: A greeting, a goodbye, a compliment. It’s one of those words that just makes sense to South Africans.
- Skabenga: Slang for a troublemaker or ruffian.
- The hell-in: Straight out of Afrikaans die hel in. Because sometimes “cross” just doesn’t cut it.
- Tjoekie: Our local word for prison. (Usually said with a laugh when your friend jokes about ending up there.)
- Yoh: That universal exclamation of shock, admiration or disbelief. From “Yoh, that’s hectic!” to “Yoh, that’s beautiful!” It works everywhere.
- Zol: Colloquial for marijuana… or the rollie you’re lighting up. When you smoke Zol, you put saliva on the paper!
The Favourites That Got There First:
- Amakhosi: Chiefs. Leaders. Or, if you’re a football fan, a team you love.
- Braai: Our version of a barbecue but it’s much more than that: it’s culture, tradition and togetherness.
- Bunny chow: Durban’s gift to the world: a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry.
- Deurmekaar: Completely confused or chaotic.
- Eina: The sound of South African pain. Stub your toe and this comes out naturally.
- Gumboot dance: The rhythmic stomping dance that started in the mines and became cultural heritage.
- Howzit: Our version of “hello”. Simple, effective, lekker.
- Kasi: Township, hood, neighbourhood.
- Kgotla: A communal gathering place in Sotho or Tswana villages used for assemblies and court cases.
- Koppie: A small hill or rocky outcrop, typical of the South African landscape.
- Kif: Cool. Fun. Awesome. (Yes, we were saying it long before surfers in movies.)
- Lekker: Possibly the most South African word ever. From Afrikaans, it means nice, good, cool, enjoyable. Food can be lekker, a party can be lekker, even a nap can be lekker.
- Mzansi: South Africa, but with love.
- Rooibos: Our world-famous red bush tea, grown only in South Africa’s Cederberg mountains.
- Sarmie: A sandwich but obviously better because it’s a sarmie.
- Skedonk: That battered old car that somehow still runs.
- Toy-toyi: The stomping protest dance that’s as much about rhythm as it is about resilience.
- Ubuntu: Our spirit of humanity. “I am because we are.”
- Voetstoots: Legalese for “sold as is.” Very South African, very practical.
- Yebo: A common affirmative term meaning “yes” in several South African languages.
Oh, and one more for good fun… voetsak (or voetsek).
“Voetsek” is a South African slang term, primarily used as an exclamation to tell someone or something to go away, similar to “get lost” or “go away”. It’s often used to dismiss or reject something, and can be directed at animals (especially dogs) or people. The term has strong connotations of dismissal and can be considered rude or insulting in some contexts.
Seeing our words in the Oxford English Dictionary isn’t just a quirky headline, it’s recognition that our language, culture and way of expressing ourselves matter globally. These words carry our humour, our frustrations, our traditions and our spirit.
So next time you drop a casual “howzit,” call your car a “skedonk,” or tell someone you’re “gatvol”… know that it’s not just slang anymore. It’s official. It’s proudly South African. And it’s Oxford-approved.
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