Need Something in Zulu

Need is dinga in Zulu.

Di-nga. You say the first part like deal and the second like linger.

Life is about basics. We need good health, water, air, food, shelter and children. Anything else is extra, like love, happiness, wealth, fame and fortune.

Stores limit toilet paper to one per shopper to prevent

hoarding. It is now easier to find it.

Pic: Nonqaba waka Msimang

Despite our phones that have everything from the camera, calculator to notes, where we can write a shopping list, we still write on a piece of paper. When we get to the store we pick up the fruit or vegetable we need then cross it out on the list.

Mama didn’t play. She gave me the stick when I was naughty, just went to the nearby tree and pulled a nice thin green switch and worked on my behind.

‘Udinga uswazi,’ she used to say. Translate that into ‘you need the switch.’ What do they say in English, spare the rod and spoil the child? Mama was the bomb, loved me to bits and I turned out well. Yes indeed. I say so myself.

Blood transfusion. There’s an accident. The injured need blood, but blood transfusion services does not have enough. What a pity. When electricity disappears, we need candles. Unfortunately, we never remember where we put them.

ZULU	ENGLISH
U-dinga igazi.	He needs blood.
Badinga igazi. Be-ku-ne ngozi.	They need blood. There was an accident.
Sidinga ivisa yo-kuya e-Canada.	We need a visa for Canada.
Ngi-dinga ubisi, ithanga ne-mifino.	I need milk, pumpkin and spinach.
Nidinga imoto entsha.	You need a new car.
Terence, u-dinga izibuko.	Terence, you need reading glasses.
Sophia, u-dinga wi-fi.	Sophia, you need wi-fi.
Thuli no Thulani ni-dinga-ni namhlanje?	Thuli and Thulani what do you need today?
Bafana, ni-dinga-ni ebholeni?	Boys, what do you need for soccer?
U-dinga-ni kwi-menu?	What do you need from the menu?
U-Sally u-dinga indoda kwaphela!	Sally needs a man period!
U-Senzo u-dinga u-makoti qha!	Senzo needs a woman period!

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang