Go in Zulu

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Hamba kahle Kawhi.

Go in peace.  All the best Kawhi Leonard.

Hamba is go, depart, leave in Zulu.

Leonard was in Canada 2018-2019, playing basketball wearing the Toronto Raptors’ colours.  He is American and basketball is largely associated with the U.S. but, players move around between the two countries.  

Kawhi and his team put a stellar performance which led to the Toronto Raptors, a Canadian team, to win the 2019 NBA championship.  He’s going back home now to play for the WE DON’T KNOW EAGLES and the whole of Canada says ‘hamba kahle’.  

People come and go.  Some disappear without saying goodbye. Others do and say it in French, au revoir, we shall meet again.  There are also people who are asked to leave home, a relationship, a marriage or a job.

What also goes is time, which leads to decreased mobility, eyesight and health in general.  You hear it at home when grandparents seem confused.  Parents will whisper:  Sesihambile isikhathi (time has taken its toll).  It also means being late for work or an event.

Ha-mba.  You say the first part like heart the next one like humbug.

Ba-ha-mbi-le. You say the first part like Cordoba Province in Spain, the second like heart the third part like umbilical cord and the last one like leg.

ZULU
ENGLISH
Abekho.  Ba-hambile.
They are not here.  They are gone.
Suka la. Hamba.
Get away from here.  Go.
Ngi-hamba ngebhasi.
I’m going by car.
Ngi-hamba ngebhanoyi.
I’m flying.
U-Themba u-hamba ngezinyawo.
Themba is walking.
Bazo-hamba kusasa.
They will leave tomorrow.
Sesi-hambile isikhathi ku gogo.
Grandmother is old.
Sesi-hambile isikhathi ku mkhulu.
Grandfather is old.
Sheshisa. Isikhathi si-hambile.
Hurry up. Time has flown (You are late).
Zi-hambile izingane. Ziye esikoleni.
Kids have gone to school.
U-hambile umama. Uye emsebenzini.
Mother has gone to work.
U-phi u-Samson?
Where’s Samson?
Wa-hamba.
He left.
U-phi u-Paulette?
Where’s Paulette?
Wa-hamba.
She left.
Hambani kahle.
Go (many people) well. Go in peace.
U-zohamba nobani?
Who will go with you?
Ngi-zohamba nephoyisa.
I will go with the police.
:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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