South African Terminology: Definitions and Meanings

South African Terminology

Acacia: A small tree with white or yellow flowers.

Acting: Temporarily doing the job of another person.

Afrikaans: A South African language developed from the 17th century.

Afrikaner: A South African descended from the Dutch who speaks Afrikaans.

Amen: A word used to show sincere approval of something that has just been said (used, for example, at the end of a prayer).

Authority: The power to give orders to other people and make them obey.

Ban (v): To forbid someone by law from doing or saying something.

Banning area: The area where, by law, a banned person must stay.

Bantu: A word used by white South Africans for black people.

Black Consciousness: A South African organization, led by Stephen Biko, which believed that black people should achieve success without the help of white people.

Bless (v): To ask God for protection.

Bug (v): To hide a small machine in a room or on a telephone to secretly listen to private conversations.

Bulldozer: A powerful tractor with a large steel blade at the front, which can move earth or destroy buildings.

Charges: Accusations of a crime that will be brought to court.

Clinic: A place where people see doctors for treatment or advice.

Coffin: A box for a dead person to be buried in.

Concentration camp: A prison for political prisoners or prisoners of war.

Confrontation: Face-to-face challenge of ideas and forces.

Custody: In prison, waiting for trial.

Dye (n): A liquid used to change the color of things; Dye (v).

Editor: The person in charge of a newspaper.

Editorial: A special article in a newspaper, usually written by the editor.

High Commission: The office of a group of people who represent the government of a foreign country.

Hitch-hike: To travel by getting free rides in other people's cars.

Holy Spirit: In the Christian religion, God in the form of a spirit.

Homeland: An area of South Africa reserved for black people to live in.

Hood: A cover, like a bag, for the head and part of the face.

Inquest: An official inquiry to learn the facts about a death.

Justice: The quality or ideal of being right and fair.

Land Rover: A strong car designed for use on rough ground.

Liberal (n): A person who wants progress and individual freedom in society.

Manuscript: An author's work, handwritten or typed.

Minder: A person employed to watch someone.

Mortuary: A building where dead bodies are kept before burial.

Naked: Without clothes on.

Nappy: A small towel folded around a baby's bottom.

Newsroom: The office of a newspaper where journalists work.

Partition: A thin wall that divides a room into smaller rooms.

Pass (n): A document giving somebody permission to be in a particular area.

Permit (n): A document that allows a person to go somewhere or do something.

Poster: A large notice or picture displayed in a public place.

Print (v): To produce a copy of a newspaper or book.

Publish: To produce a book and offer it for sale to the public.

Racism: Believing that people of one skin color are better than people of another skin color.

Raid (v): A sudden attack made by the police or the army.

Reflex: An automatic, not a conscious, movement of the body.

Road-block: Something that blocks a road so that the police can check the traffic.

Security (men): Police whose duty is to protect the interests of the government.

Stadium: A large sports field, surrounded by seats.

Stand up to (somebody): To refuse to give in; to defend oneself with courage.

State Prosecutor: A lawyer who speaks for the government in a law court.

Tear gas: Gas that hurts people's eyes and produces tears, used by the police to control violent crowds.

Township: A town in South Africa reserved for black people.

Tribal: Of a group of people with the same language, customs, beliefs, etc.

Van: A type of closed lorry used to carry and deliver things.

Warrant: A document that allows the police to arrest someone or search a house.

Witness box: The place in a law court where a witness gives evidence.