What I Learned From Speaking Zulu in South Africa

In 2003, I moved to Cape Town, South Africa. For a couple of months before I left, I spent quite a bit of time studying the Zulu language.

I was working with a tutor at from a South African restaurant in Brooklyn, New York (Madiba), which is the affectionate name of Nelson Mandela. 

Two days after I arrived in Johannesburg, I was invited to go out to the evening with two of the other people in the hostel. One of them was a black person from Nairobi. And the other one was a black person from the Khosa tribe in South Africa.

Now to give a little context for the evening...

When I was reading the guidebook about Johannesburg — before arrival — there was a certain neighborhood that the guidebooks said don't go here any time of the day or night. 

So when these two gentlemen invited me to go out, I asked, "Where are we going?"

And guess what?

We were going to the exact neighborhood that the guidebooks said, to not go to at any time, whatsoever!

So I took a deep breath and said, "Okay, let's do it. "

Picture me: I'm a tall white male. And I was in my party phase (i.e. drugs, dancing, and djs). I had a long beard, that was dyed blonde... and earrings in both of my ears that glowed in the dark. 

So we pull up in front of this bar. 

And there are about 20 African men standing there. And as soon as I step out of the car. Everyone looks at me and the conversation completely stops. 

(I was the only white person I encountered that entire evening.)

So I looked into the eyes of as many people in the group, as I possibly could put a smile on my face and said hello and how are you in Zulu. 

"Sanibonani! Ninjani?"

And the response was incredible. 

Every single person looked at me, smiled pointed and responded in Zulu as well. 

In one moment — from speaking, one or two words — I had achieved a certain level of instant connection and warmth. 

So we went into that bar (and into many bars that evening). 

And in almost every one I was the only white person. 

And someone (in each place) would come up and say hello to me introduce themselves. 

Invariably, they would say something like, "I'm so glad you're here.  Please understand and tell everybody that you know that we are all about peace. "

??

So I invite you to never underestimate the power of speaking someone's language — whether it's the language that they speak from their country — or how they talk about their experience in the language that you share with them.

To be able to articulate their pains and their dreams... their desires and their goals... And ultimately, what we all want as human beings:

1. to achieve happiness and avoid suffering

2. to overcome internal struggles of self-doubt, fear, worry, anxiety, or insecurity

3. greater meaning, purpose, and connection in a rapidly changing world that’s in a vast and mysterious universe

So, whose words will you be using today?

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Photo by Ndumiso Silindza on Unsplash