By: Natasha Archary
South Africa is rich in diversity. We are called the rainbow nation because of the many cultures and the different races we have in the country.
Among some of the things we are most proud of are the different languages we speak. The Rainbow Nation has 12 official languages spoken in various parts of the country and by people from many different backgrounds.
We take a look at the different greetings in all the official languages in Mzansi.
Afrikaans is a language spoken in all the provinces in the country. Most people in South Africa know how to speak Afrikaans and it is one of the popular subjects in schools.
- Hello – Hallo
- How are you? – Hoe gaan dit met jou/u?
- I’m fine, thanks – Goed, dankie
Sepedi is a language spoken by Bapedi. The majority of the Bapedi tribe resides in Limpopo province.
- Hello – Thobela or Realotsha
- How are you? – Lekae?
- I’m fine – Re gona
Setswana and Sesotho have many similarities. The languages are closely related and even their greetings are the same, and is mostly spoken in Gauteng and the Free State.
- Hello – Dumelang
- How are you? – Okae?
- I’m fine – Ke teng
Ndebele is a language spoken by amaNdebele. The amaNdebele people mostly live in Mpumalanga.
- Hello – Lotjhani or Sanibonani
- How are you? – Nivuke njani?
- I’m fine? – Sivukile
Tsonga. This language is spoken by Tsonga people and is mostly spoken in Limpopo.
- Hello – Avuxeni
- How are you? – Kunjhani?
- I’m fine – Ndzi pfukile
Venda. Venda is a popular language in Limpopo and most Vhavenda people live near the South African-Zimbabwean border.
- Hello – Aa!
- How are you? – Hurini?
- I’m fine – Ndi hone
Xhosa is a language spoken by Bantu ethnic group of South Africa mainly found in the Eastern and Western Cape.
- Hello – Molweni
- How are you? – Ninjani?
- I’m fine – Ndiphilile.
Zulu and Swati are Nguni languages spoken by people who reside in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Swaziland. Their greeting is similar.
- Hello – Sawubona
- How are you? – Kunjani?
- I’m fine – Ngiyaphila.
Sign Language
To greet someone with a hello, make the sign by extending your fingers and cross your thumb in front of your palm. Now take the hand, starting with your hand in front of your ear, and extend it outward and away from your body. Finally, smile!
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