Across South Africa’s languages, proverbs (izaga in isiZulu, amaqhalo in isiXhosa, maele in Sesotho, diane in Setswana, swivuriso in Xitsonga) are a serious form of teaching. They are used to settle disputes, advise the young, soften criticism, and carry history in a compressed form. This page gathers well-known examples from five language traditions, with literal translations, meanings, and a note on how each is used. It replaces several shorter posts we previously published. Spellings and translations follow common published sources; where a proverb varies by region we have chosen a widely recognised form, and we welcome corrections from first-language speakers.
isiZulu – Izaga
- Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. – “A person is a person through other people.” The core statement of ubuntu: a person becomes fully human through relationships and community.
- Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili. – “The path is asked from those who are ahead.” Seek advice from people who have already travelled the road you are on.
- Umthente uhlaba usamila. – “The tambootie grass pricks while it is still growing.” A person’s character shows from an early age.
- Isikhuni sibuya nomkhwezeli. – “The firebrand comes back to the one who stirred the fire.” Those who provoke trouble often suffer the consequences themselves.
- Inkunzi isematholeni. – “The (future) bull is among the calves.” Tomorrow’s leader is somewhere among today’s youngsters.
- Izandla ziyagezana. – “Hands wash each other.” Cooperation and mutual help; a favour is returned.
isiXhosa – Amaqhalo
- Umntu ngumntu ngabantu. – “A person is a person through people.” As in isiZulu, the statement of ubuntu.
- Intaka yakha ngoboya benye. – “A bird builds (its nest) with another’s feathers.” People succeed with the help and contributions of others.
- Isala kutyelwa sibona ngomopho. – “The one who refuses to be told sees by the blood.” A person who ignores advice learns only through painful experience.
- Inja ihamba nomniniyo. – “A dog goes with its owner.” People are known by the company they keep.
- Ubuhle bendoda ziinkomo zayo. – “A man’s worth is (shown by) his cattle.” Character is proved by what a person builds and provides, not by appearance.
Sesotho – Maele
- Motho ke motho ka batho. – “A person is a person through people.” The Sesotho form of botho / ubuntu.
- ‘Mangoana o tšoara thipa ka bohaleng. – “The child’s mother grasps the knife by the blade.” A parent (especially a mother) will endure pain and danger to protect her child.
- Feta kgomo o tšhware motho. – “Pass the cow and grab the person.” When you must choose, value human life and relationships above wealth.
- Sejo se monate ha se fete molomo. – “Tasty food does not pass the mouth by.” Enjoy or take an opportunity while it is in front of you.
- Lefu ha le na nako. – “Death has no appointed time.” Misfortune gives no warning.
- Ngwana ya sa lleng o shwela tharing. – “The child who does not cry dies on the back (unnoticed).” Speak up about your needs or they go unmet.
Setswana – Diane
- Motho ke motho ka batho. – “A person is a person through people.”
- Mmangwana o tshwara thipa ka fa bogaleng. – “A child’s mother holds the knife by the sharp edge.” A mother bears the hardest part to shield her child.
- Ngwana yo o sa leleng o swela tharing. – “A child who does not cry dies unnoticed on the mother’s back.” If you do not speak up about your need, no one will know to help you.
- Sedikwa ke ntšwa pedi ga se thata. – “What is hunted by two dogs is caught.” A task shared between people is achievable.
- Mmualebe o a bo a bua la gagwe. – “The one who speaks badly is still saying his piece.” Let people speak; the truth is sorted out in the end.
- Kgetse ya tsie e kgaoganwa ka lonao. – “A bag of locusts is shared out with the foot.” What there is should be divided among everyone present.
Xitsonga – Swivuriso (Tsonga / Shangaan)
Shangaan is a branch of the Tsonga; the proverbs below are shared across both.
- Munhu i munhu hi vanhu. – “A person is a person through people.” The Tsonga form of vumunhu / ubuntu.
- Ku tlula ka mhala ku letela n’wana wa le ndzeni. – “The way the impala jumps guides the unborn calf within.” Children learn by watching their parents; example teaches before words.
- N’wana wa nyoka i nyoka. – “The child of a snake is a snake.” Traits and habits are passed from parent to child (usually said as a warning).
- Tiva laha u humaka kona leswaku u ta tiva laha u yaka kona. – “Know where you come from so that you know where you are going.” Cultural memory guides good decisions.
- Mbyana leyi rilaka a yi lumi. – “The dog that barks does not bite.” The one making the most noise is often the least dangerous.
Why the “person through people” proverb appears in every language
Almost every South African language has a version of umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu – motho ke motho ka batho, munhu i munhu hi vanhu, muthu ndi muthu nga vhathu (Tshivenda). It expresses the ethic usually called ubuntu or botho: that identity, dignity and morality are formed in relationship with others rather than in isolation. Its near-universal presence across unrelated-sounding languages is one sign of how much these communities share.
Sources and further reading
- Fr. F. Mayr, Zulu Proverbs (reprinted in the UCT eMandulo collection).
- C. L. S. Nyembezi, Zulu Proverbs (1954) – the standard scholarly collection.
- S. M. Guma, The Form, Content and Technique of Traditional Literature in Southern Sotho (1967).
- Henri-Alexandre Junod, The Life of a South African Tribe, vol. 2 (1913) – includes a large collection of Tsonga proverbs.
- P. J. Mayer and others, published isiXhosa iziduko and amaqhalo collections.
Know a better version? Proverbs shift between regions and families, and translations are always approximate. If you can correct a translation or add a well-known saying we have missed, send us a WhatsApp on 065 138 8213 or use our contact page.