ISINDEBELE

History

Isindebele is a South African language, from the Nguni ethnic group. Amandebele are a small populated tribe mainly situated in Mpumalanga kwaNdebele, Pretoria and Limpopo according to census 2011 they formed 1.1 million of South African population. They should not be confused with Amandebele kaMzilikazi( Northern Ndebele from Zimbabwe).

Amandebele are divided into two group which is Ndzundza and Manala, which are the the sons of king Musi. Amandebele are known for their colourful designs and extra ordinary traditional clothes. The ndebele people are peaceful and multilingual reason being that their communities consist of people who speak different languages. One of the most Ndebele icon is Esther Mahlanga known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings.

I am also a proud Ndebele girl who grew up in Mpumalanga kwaNdebele lived in Bokenhouthoek and moved to kwaMhlanga when i was in grade 12. I'm proud of my language and culture especially now that in 2018 South African media is opening more doors for Ndebele people to tell their stories and show their talent and capabilities.

Isindebele language

Greeting Hello - Lotjhani How are you? - Unjani? I am fine - Ngikhona Fine, thank you - Ngikhona ngiyathokoza. Goodbye - Salakuhle Good luck - Iba netjhudu Have a safe journey - Ube nekhambo eliphephileko

Expressions yes - Iye no - Awa please - Ngiyabawa thank you - Ngiyathokoza help - rhelebha danger - ingozi emergency - kuyarhaba excuse me - Ngitshidele I am sorry. - Ngiyacolisa I love you. - Ngiyakuthanda

Numbers 1 - one - kunye 2 - two - kubili 3 - three - kuthathu 4 - four - kune 5 - five - kuhlanu 6 - six - sithandathu 7 - seven - likhomba 8 - eight - bunane 9 - nine - lithoba 10 - ten - litjhumi 11 - eleven - litjhumi nakunye 12 - twelve - litjhumi nambili 13 - thirteen - litjhumi nanthathu 14 - fourteen - litjhumi nakune 15 - fifteen - nahlanu 20 - twenty - matjhumi amabili 21 - twenty one - matjhumi amabili nakunye 22 - twenty two - matjhumi amabili nambili 50 - fifty - matjhumi amahlanu 100 - hundred - likhulu 1000 - thousand - ikulungwane

Days of the week Sunday - uSonto Monday - uMvulo Tuesday - uLesibili Wednesday - uLesithathu Thursday - uLesine Friday - uLesihlanu Saturday - uMgqibelo

Months of the year January - uTjhirhweni February - uMhlolanja March - iNtaka April - iSihlabantangana May - uMrhayili June - uMgwengweni July - uVelabahlinze August - uRhoboyi September - uKhukhulamungu October - iSewula  November - uSikinyikhaba December - uNobayeni

Isinanazelo sami (My Clan names)

Skosana sikamusi kamhlanga komo ka Nanasi, ujali ka Thamana, sitlhari sobuso, isichobo esimanyala, ukunzi wako Gwazane wathapha ngathi uthapha umthangala kanti uthapha imbambo zendoda