Language in South Africa

Language in South Africa - Xhosa

11 Official Languages (in order of highest number of mother-tongue speakers): Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Tswana, North Sotho, English, South Sotho, Tsonga, siSwati, Ndebele, Venda

Xhosa is the indigenous language of the Xhosa people of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and is the mother-tongue of approximately 7 million people in the country. It is mutually intelligible with Zulu.

I’m currently taking the introductory level Xhosa course at Rhodes. I’m also trying to pick up a little bit in town and up at Ethembeni Senior Service Centre in the Joza township in Grahamstown. Fluency is way out of reach for my time here, but I’m working at it a little bit.

Greetings and whatnot:

Molo bhuti/sisi!
Hello brother/sister!

Molo mama/tata!
Hello mother/father!

Unjani?
How are you?

Ndiphilile
I am fine

Molo hlobo wam!
Hello my friend!

Ungubani igama lakho?
What is your name?

Igama lam nguJeremy
My name is Jeremy

Enkosi
Thank you

Uthando
Love

Uxolo
Peace

Ethembeni
Hope