No Problem in Zulu

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Pic: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
They want to impeach U.S. President Donald Trump. There is a problem.  That is why he has not sent the tweet: Akuna nkinga (no problem).

All languages have the phrase no problem. Disney even has it in the Lion King, HAKUNA MATHATA, although I’ve never seen the movie.

‘Kosi wala.’ (Yoruba, Nigeria).
‘A-yikh’ inkinga.’ (Zulu South Africa).
‘A-kuna nkinga.’ (also Zulu South Africa).

Can you give me a ride to the ball game? A-kuna nkinga.
May I have the last pizza slice? A-kuna nkinga.
Do you take Canadian dollars? A-kuna nkinga.

It is a casual way of agreeing with somebody and it applies to light situations. Let’s get married. I hope you are not expecting A-kuna nkinga, because marriage is no child’s play. Politicians cannot expect the same response during campaigns. Vote for me. A-kuna nkinga.

A-ku-na…. You say the first part like Alice, the second like kudu and the third one like nice.
A problem is inkinga in Zulu. Nki-nga, you say the first part like banking and the second like Havenga.
ZULUENGLISH
Houston, sine nkinga.Houston, we have a problem.
President Trump, sine nkinga.President Trump, we have a problem.
Sine nkinga, awukho ugesi.We have a problem. There is no electricity.
Le-moto ine nkinga.This car has a problem.
Umshado wakhe une-nkinga.Her marriage has a problem.
Tim, u-ngapheka kusasa?Tim, can you cook tomorrow?
A-kuna nkinga.No problem.
Mario, si-ngadlala ibhola  ekuseni?Mario, can we play soccer in the morning?
A-kuna nkinga.No problem.
Zola, u-ngasebenza ebusuku?Zola, can you work the night shift?
A-kuna nkinga.No problem.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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