Mike and I: Part 3

Mike and I once came across two chaps having a conversation about a friend of theirs. “That bra loves toet” said one. I was so excited to hear this as I was also a huge fan so I exclaimed, “What a coincidence, I love Toet too!” The two gentleman shook my hand and said “salut bra, that’s the way ya,” Some other chaps that had heard me exclaim my love for Toet also expressed their appreciation.  On our way back home Mike and I were happy to have met some like minded fellows that were also fans of the classic trombone player Charles Toet. We agreed that people who lived in Belhar really loved their

Mike and I : Part 2

Mike and I once heard two fellows having a rather loud altercation. One gentleman told the other “I’ll kick you in your puss bra”. Mike asked me “Why is that fellow threatening to kick that man inside his cat, how would such an action even be possible?” I was just as confused as my friend. “The man being berated must love his cat dearly and the other chap has probably used that information to create some sort of fictitious scenario so as to emphasize his dislike of the man,” I said.  It was at this point that the two gentlemen turned to us and said “Are you taking us for a puss?” I was confused as to why they thought we had likened them to cats and why it would anger them so even if we did. I assured the rather irate men that we had not meant to suggest that they were cats or any member of the feline species for that matter. Two weeks later when Mike and I left the hospital as a result of the beating we received we agreed that we would never again venture into Tafelsig.

Mike and I : Part one

This marks to start of a series called Mike and I. I'm not sure how long it'll be, I;m sort of winging it. Hope you guys enjoy it. 

Part One : Anger Management 

Mike and I once encountered a rather angry gentleman. We asked the chap what it was that vexed him so. He replied “I’m so angry I smaak to hit walls” to which Mike replied “Walls? As in more than one wall? surely one wall would be enough to deal with whatever anger you have to deal with.” Seeing that the young man was clearly confused by Mike’s question, I intervened. “Mike I think this gentleman is referring to the metaphorical walls we all put up to keep each other out.” It was at this point that the distressed youth punched an actual wall. Mike and I agreed that investing in property in Parow would never be profitable as chaps walking around hitting the walls left, right and centre would without a doubt decrease the resale value of any home built in the area.  

Coloureds explained entry 4:"Dala rot" and "Bets".

Today on coloureds explained we will explore two words that are intrinsically linked. "Dala rot" and "Bets". Bets is when someone is up for a challenge. This could range from agreeing to helping your friend move into his new flat to helping your friend hide the triple homicide he's just committed. A dala rot is said to always be "Bets" but the reference is not generally linked to mere furniture mo

ving. When a dala rot is bets it’s generally for kak aanvang (see last post). Common Dala rot activities include but are not restricted to: hurting himself for others amusement, breaking things for no reason, driving unnecessarily fast, doing everything in excess, fighting with little or no justification (see upcoming post on, "the rol"). They do this for the simple pleasure of hearing people say “You a mal naai ma bru". The older one gets the less impressive the dala rot becomes, when you 14 we call him a dala rot, when you 30 you call him an idiot. Unless you yourself are an idiot then you call him "the ou" (see next post on coloured superlatives).

Coloured's explained, entry 3: "Getuie"

This refers to a good friend. e.g., Michael Michael Shakib Bhatch is my getuie ma bru, tot laat toe papa," translation: "Michael Bhatch is one of my dearest friends till the day I die." Now to many this may seem a bit extreme but calling someone a getuie comes with many responsibilities. He has to join you in all manner of "kak aan vang", lend you money (kyk

a liewe, see entry 2), help you "chys kinnes" (approach girls, see extensive note to be published later for elaboration), the list is extensive. All these supportive acts can be lumped using the verb, getuig. When asked to getuig, an individual is being asked for help or support. This can range from serious issues to the most trivial of requests. e.g. " Ma bru I'm gonna stab this naai, u gonna getuig me?" to I'm going to the shop gou, getuig me?
If the getuie does not comply with the more serious requests he will be denoted to the role of "bang naai" (scared) and will no longer be seen as a getuie. For smaller infractions you can be called a kak thing or fokol werd.

Coloured's explained, entry 2: "Kyk a lewe

This is when an individual asks another for a favour. In the scenario Fiekie is a bit strapped for cash and as a result cannot afford to buy a ticket to the ballet that he had so looked forward to attending. He then asks his mate Gamat so "Kyk a lewe" and buy him a ticket. Gamat has been put in a precarious situation as the rules of being "Brasse" clear

ly states that if said bra finds himself in a bind it is your duty as his "getuie"(to be explained in entry 3) to help him out. There is another instance whereby saying the words constitutes the entire communicative act and explanation for the statement is not necessary as both participants share schemata that allows them to understand. This is shown when Gamat asks Fiekie to kyk a lewe while Fiekie is smoking his "wit pyp" (see entry on recreational drug use), Fiekie immediately knows that this means Gamat wants a few drags.