Water in Zulu

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Water in amanzi in Zulu.

A-ma-nzi. You say the first part like Anna, the second like mull and the last part like the Ponzi money scheme. Is it still around? Never mind.

Water is life. There is no doubt about it. Drought kills people, plants and animals. Water also means hospitality in Africa.

The first thing kids are taught to do when visitors arrive, is to offer them water which means: WELCOME. When things turn sour between friends one would say:

‘She didn’t even offer me a glass of water.’

We cannot count water said my teachers, but we can count containers: a glass of water, pots of water, basins of water etc.

Fetching water from the river in Africa used to be the old school Facebook. Young men went there to sweet talk women. Some women like Mkabayi ka Jama the Zulu princess, were so beautiful men crossed rivers and mountains to pursue them.  
ZULUENGLISH
Ngicela amanzi.May I have some water please?
Ngiphuza amanzi abandayo.I drink cold water.
Ngiphuza amanzi afudumele.I drink warm water.
Lomisile. Amanzi awekho.There is drought. There’s no water.
Izindlovu ziphuza amanzi emfuleni.Elephants are drinking at the river.
Imvula amanzi.Rain is water.
Thela amanzi endishini.Pour water in the basin.
Thela amanzi eketeleni.Pour water in the kettle.
Ulwandle amanzi amaningi.An ocean is a lot of water.
Imphophoma amanzi.Waterfalls are water.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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