SafariKZN Glossary & Useful Phrases
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Safari Glossary & Useful Phrases
There are 11 official languages in South Africa: English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda and Swati. Most people in the urban areas can understand and speak basic English so, if your English is OK, it is not essential to learn any of these languages to get by as a tourist.
Zulu, English & Afrikaans is spoken in the Kwa Zulu Natal area.
Useful Phrases
It is always appreciated when some local phrases are used but if you are not sure which language the person speaks then stick to English.
Safari Glossary
Even English-speaking South Africans have words that are only used in South Africa. The common greeting of "Howzit?" or if something is going to be done fairly soon, it'll be done "now now" while "just now" is a little later on, are all commonly used expressions in Kwa Zulu Natal and across South Africa.