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If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town or the Western Cape and you think you’ll get by with “hello,” “please,” and “where’s the wine?”, think again. South Africans — and Capetonians in particular — speak English… but not as you know it. We’ve taken your perfectly good language, braaied it, added some spice, and served it with a side of sarcasm. Welcome to Mzansi English, the version that will leave you smiling, confused, and occasionally convinced that time works differently here.
Here are the phrases you NEED to know before you land at CPT (you’ll sound like a local in five minutes and avoid some classic tourist blunders).
1. Now / Now Now / Just Now
The holy trinity of South African time management.
- Now = sometime today… maybe
- Now now = slightly sooner than now, but still relaxed
- Just now = when the vibe is right (could be never)
Example: “The Uber is coming now now” → Go make a cup of tea. Twice.
Meaning: At some point in the future. Could be in 5 minutes, could be next Thursday. Example: “I’ll be there now.” → You have time for a shower, a dop, and a Netflix episode. Pro tip: If someone says “now now,” pack a lunch. That means “later, but slightly sooner than never.”
Just Now: Meaning: Even vaguer than “now.” Basically “when I feel like it.” Example: “I’ll pay you back just now.” → Bring a lawyer. Locals use “now,” “now now,” and “just now” like Russian dolls of procrastination
2. Braai
Meaning: Not a barbecue. Never call it a barbecue! A braai is a religion involving fire, meat, and Castle Lager. Origin: From the Dutch/Afrikaans “braden” (to roast). Now it’s the national sport after rugby and complaining about load-shedding. The sacred South African ritual of cooking meat over fire while arguing about rugby. Never call it a BBQ in the Western Cape — you’ll get banished to the salad table.
4. Lekker
Meaning: Great, nice, delicious, cool, awesome — basically the Swiss Army knife of compliments. Example: “That bunny chow was lekker!” / “This vibe is lekker.” / “Shark cage diving? Lekker man!” “This bottle of Stellenbosch Chenin is lekker!” Origin: Afrikaans/Dutch for “tasty” → expanded to describe literally anything good.
5. Shame
Meaning: Not actual shame. It’s sympathy, cuteness overload, or mild pity. Example: “Ag shame, did you miss the last wine tram? OR, “Ag shame man, you paid R400 for that boerewors roll at the market?” (Translation: poor foreigner). Use it on puppies, babies, and tourists who ordered a “medium” steak (it’ll arrive well-done, shame).
6. Howzit
Meaning: Hello + How are you + Lovely weather we’re having, all in one word. Response: Also “Howzit” or the more committed “Sharp sharp” or “Lekker man!” and you’re basically a local. “Sharp sharp” you’ll hear probably 47 times a day in Cape Town.
7. Eish / Aikhona / Yoh
Universal expressions of shock, disbelief, pain, or amazement. Example:
- “Eish, the Rand is R19 to the dollar.”
- “Yoh yoh yoh, that baboon just stole my sandwich!”
- Aikhona, I’m not downing that Tequila!
- Use liberally. Bonus points if you clutch your chest while saying it.
8. Bakkie
Meaning: A pickup truck. Calling it a “truck” or “ute” marks you as an outsider instantly. Bonus: The back of the bakkie is legally and culturally designed to transport 17 people, a braai grid, and at least one uncle who’s “just holding the cooler steady.”
9. Robot
Meaning: Traffic light. Yes, really. Example: “Go straight at the second robot, then sharp left by the Spur.” Saying “traffic light” will get you the slow head-tilt of pity.
10. Boet (pronounced “boot”)
Meaning: Brother, mate, dude. Used for actual brothers and total strangers. Example: “Howzit boet? Even if you just met 30 seconds ago. You also waiting for this blerrie Uber?” Female version: “Sis” (as in sister, not cis).
11. Jol
Meaning: Party, good time, night out. Example: “We’re having a jol at the beach house.” → Expect fairy lights, braai smoke, and someone attempting to play “Wonderwall” on guitar. Origin: Afrikaans for “fun” or “pleasure,” now the official word for any gathering with alcohol.
12. Dof
Meaning: Stupid or slow. Example: “Don’t be dof, the penguins are at Boulders, not Camps Bay.” Warning: If a Capetonian calls you dof, you’ve probably tried to hike Table Mountain in flip-flops (slops).
13. Slap Chips
Meaning: Soft, soggy, vinegar-soaked French fries. The national side dish. Never order “crispy” chips unless you want to be deported.
14. Is it?
Meaning: A rhetorical filler that ends 90% of South African sentences. Example: “The traffic was bad hey, is it?” Translation: “I am acknowledging your existence and inviting agreement.”
A Quick History of Why We Talk Like This
Most of these words come from Afrikaans (itself a daughter language of 17th-century Dutch, mixed with Malay, Portuguese, Khoisan, and Bantu influences). English arrived with the British in the 1800s, got sunburnt, had a few Castle Lagers, and decided to chill with Afrikaans words forever. Add township slang, Indian South African flair, and Coloured community linguistic genius (especially in the Cape), and you’ve got the rainbow-nation word stew we speak today.
So when you land in Cape Town, throw out your stiff “excuse me” and try this: “Howzit boet! Two slap chips and a Coke, just now hey. Lekker!”
You’ll be invited to a braai by sunset. Promise.
Safe travels, and remember: in the Western Cape, “now” is a suggestion, “just now” is a lifestyle, and “now now” is basically next week.
See you just now! 🫶
