No Problem in Zulu Language

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Canada in winter. Where's the car? I parked it right here.
Wyoming Republicans chose Trump and the lie, over America and the truth. No problem history will vindicate Liz Cheney. She doesn’t speak Zulu, a South African language. If she did, she would say 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. You hope she will accept the proposal and say, A-kuna nkinga. However, there’s a problem if the bride or groom does not turn up in church. Cold feet?  Politicians cannot expect the same response during campaigns. Vote for me? They prefer, 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.

An extra language does not harm kids. It fortifies them for a world that is increasingly complex.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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