We are not Working
Work is se-be-nza in Zulu, a language spoken mainly in southern Africa.
Se-be-nza. You say the first part like sell, the second like Mercedes-Benz, with a soft ‘b’ and the last like Panzer, a German military tank. U-mse-be-nzi is work/a job. It also means a celebration for ancestors in Zulu culture.
Christians worship Jesus Christ their ancestor. Ama-Zulu worship their grandmothers, grandfathers and great grandparents that have passed on.
The world is not at work (a-si-sebenzi), because of the pandemic called COVID-19 or coronavirus. Hardest hit are workers paid by the hour, or during special events like basketball, soccer, hockey or concerts. Cleaners, garment workers, hotel workers and many more are also affected.
Work defines us. It gives us a reason to wake up in the morning, run a shower and hit the road. That is why retirement can be depressing and can lead to death, a few years after retirement.
Husbands, wives, lovers, kids, and extended families love us for the money we bring in. You lose your job, you lose respect from people you live with. There are exceptions of course. Some people love you unconditionally. Rich men in Africa have more than one wife, so do wealthy men in Islamic countries.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
Se-be-nza. You say the first part like sell, the second like Mercedes-Benz, with a soft ‘b’ and the last like Panzer, a German military tank. U-mse-be-nzi is work/a job. It also means a celebration for ancestors in Zulu culture.
Christians worship Jesus Christ their ancestor. Ama-Zulu worship their grandmothers, grandfathers and great grandparents that have passed on.
The world is not at work (a-si-sebenzi), because of the pandemic called COVID-19 or coronavirus. Hardest hit are workers paid by the hour, or during special events like basketball, soccer, hockey or concerts. Cleaners, garment workers, hotel workers and many more are also affected.
Work defines us. It gives us a reason to wake up in the morning, run a shower and hit the road. That is why retirement can be depressing and can lead to death, a few years after retirement.
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| Pic: Nonqaba waka Msimang. |
| ZULU | ENGLISH |
| A-si-sebenzi i-corona. | We are not working because of coronavirus. |
| Sebenza. | A boy’s name meaning work. We don’t know why the family gave the child that name when he was born. Maybe the father finally got a job after a long time. |
| Basebenzile. | A girl’s name meaning many people have done a good job. Maybe she was born during a good harvest or the mother got a lucrative government contract. |
| Sebenzani. | A boy’s name meaning go to work, or work hard. |
| U-T-boy aka sebenzi. | T-boy doesn’t have a job. |
| Ngi-sebenza ebusuku. | I work the night shift. |
| U-David u-sebenza e-Dubai. | David works in Dubai. |
| U-Stella u-sebenza emikhunjini. | Stella works in cruise ships. |
| Wena usebenza kuphi? | Where do you work? |
| Ngi-sebenza e-airport. Ngi-shayela a-ma-bhanoyi. | I work at the airport. I’m a pilot. |
| U-sebenza kuphi u-Rafael? | Where does Rafael work? |
| U-Rafael usebenza e-Mendoza, Argentina. | Rafael works in Mendoza Argentina. |
| Ba-sebenza Emden, Germany. | They work in Emden, Germany. |
| Umalume u-sebenza ezimayini. | Uncle works in the mines. |
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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