Kruger Real Estate > Other info > Glossary

Glossary

South African English can be a mystery to the newcomer. This glossary aims to clarify some of the more common terms used here!

+/-
(pron. 'plus-minus')
Equivalent to "approximately", eg "the house is +/- 500 metres from the road".

BEE
Black Economic Empowerment. BEE is a system widely used in South Africa, directed by government legislation, to promote empowerment of previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) in business. In simple terms, it is a points system allowing one to measure the extent of involvement of black people within a business.

Big Five
The Big Five are so-called because they are the five most dangerous animals to hunt. They are: elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard.

bottle store
Equivalent to off-licence (UK) or liquor store (US). A shop selling a mixture of alcoholic and soft drinks for consumption at home.

braai
(pron. 'bry' to rhyme with 'why')
The SA name for a barbecue. Can either refer to the event (eg "we're having a braai") or to a brick-built barbecue (eg "the garden has a braai").

café
Equivalent to a corner shop (UK) or convenience store. A shop selling a variety of basic food and household products, usually with some kind of take-away hot food counter.

domestic quarters
A basic home for domestic staff, usually comprising somewhere to sleep, eat, cook and wash.

Eskom
Eskom is the state-run electricity supplier. Smallholdings, farms and lodges without Eskom electricity will need a generator and/or bottled gas for running appliances such as fridges. Alternatively, you can apply to Eskom for an installation.

game
Game refers to wild animals. Hence, a game drive is a drive through an area to view wildlife.

Greater Kruger Park
This area encompasses neighbouring game reserves which have their fences down to the park as well as the Kruger National Park itself.

ha
Short for hectare.

koppie
(pron. 'copy')
A koppie is a small, usually rocky hill.

KNP
Kruger National Park, a game reserve renowned the world over.

lapa
(pron. 'laah-per')
The name given to a structure, usually thatched, which has no walls. Frequently found by the swimming pool, where it provides shade while entertaining guests.

Panorama Route
Like the more famous Garden Route, this is a designated tourism route through spectacular scenery in Mpumalanga province. It encompasses Pilgrim's Rest, God's Window, Sabie and other places of interest.

tavern
Similar to a pub, but usually relatively low price and aimed at the black African market. A place selling alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises, often including pool/billiards tables.

transfer duty
A government tax payable on transferring property from one owner to another, unless the vendor is VAT registered (see below).

VAT
VAT in South Africa is currently charged at 14% on property purchases if the property's vendor is registered for VAT. However, transfer duty (see above) is then not payable.