Zulu and Yoruba Sistahood

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Odunlade Adekola, Nigerian actor and producer. Photo credit, online pic.

Who is Odunlade Adekola?

He is presently the most popular actor in Nigeria, if we use online page views as a meter. They have their flaws but, they’re all we have to gauge online interaction.

Odunlade Adekola is Yoruba. He was born and raised in the language. He might have started as an actor, but he’s a big time producer and director now. He also does musical scores using his beautiful voice.

What is the connection between Odunlade and myself? Languages. My umbilical cord is buried in KwaZulu, in a country they call South Africa.

I speak and understand a little Yoruba thanks to Odunlade, fellow actor Taofeek Adewale, actresses like Fausat Balogun, Mide FM Abiodun, Ronke Ojo, Joke Muyiwa, Yewande Adekoya, Wunmi Ajiboye, Wunmi Toriola and many others.

Yoruba and Zulu are sister languages, although Nigeria is up there in Africa and Kwa-Zulu, down under in South Africa, guarded by the Indian Ocean. What is common about the two languages?

Example: Zulu speakers can repeat the following words, exactly like Yoruba speakers. Mabinu; okomi; nyama nyama; tele tele; sheshe; dada; jade; oluwami; yotuba; yotushe; etc.

What makes Odunlade Adekola exceptional is how he delivers his lines. The cadence in his voice, facial expression, hands, everything, puts dew on the flower that is his language. The more he acts, the more I find my Yoruba lessons enjoyable.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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