Rihanna Ama-Puma

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Designer clothes. Rihanna and Puma, the German sportswear brand, have mended fences and they’re giving their commercial marriage a second chance.

They might strike it rich with their sneakers in Southern Africa. How? Language. Phuma with an ‘h’ means get out in Zulu, and most languages in that region. Rihanna fans can wear designer sneakers they can pronounce, a welcome change from entering a store to buy belts, sneakers and handbags but you cannot say their Italian and French names.

Puma, the brand is closer to home. Kids in South Africa are quite creative and might call Rihanna’s sneakers Ama-Puma or Ama-Pum Pum. Phu-ma. You say the first part like pull, the second like mars.

ZULU

ENGLISH

Phuma la!

Get out! (anger).

Phuma kule apartment yami.

Get out of my apartment.

Phuma empilweni yami.

Get out of my life.

Phuma kimi.

Get away from me.

Phuma u-phele.

Get out and disappear.

Phuma ngo-Broadway.

Get out using Broadway exit.

Phuma ngase-Salewa.

Get out near Salewa.

Phuma e-Canada ungabuyi.

Get out of Canada. Deportation.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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