South African English is a braai of languages. With Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa and nine other official languages stirring the pot, the slang here is absolutely lekker. From "just now" meaning anything between five minutes and never, to "robot" meaning traffic light, this is English with its own rules.
Kief
Kief is South African slang for something seriously good, cool, or just plain brilliant. You use it when a thing lands right and gives off that easy glow, whether it's a jol, a view, a tune, or someone's plan for the weekend. It's close to lekker, but kief has a bit more sparkle and buzz to it.
Eina
A quick South African yelp for pain, basically their everyday ouch. You fire it off when something stings, burns, bumps, or catches you off guard, and people also use it for sympathy when someone else gets hurt or hit with rough news. Small word, sharp bite, very local, very alive.
Chommie
A chommie is your proper mate, your close pal, the person you ring when life goes pear-shaped. In South African English it carries real warmth, more inner-circle than just friend. If someone calls you their chommie, you're not just hanging about, you're one of their people.
Just now
A classic South African time wobble. Just now doesn't mean immediately, and it doesn't mean a minute ago either. It means soon, but with stretchy edges. Could be ten minutes, could be two hours, could vanish into the mist entirely. It's less urgent than now now, and locals use it with a straight face while your whole schedule quietly melts.
Chop life
To chop life means to really enjoy yourself and spend on good living without acting guilty about it. It's about eating well, going out, travelling, dressing nice, catching joy while you've got breath in your body. In Nigerian Pidgin, chop isn't just literal eating. It's consuming the sweet side of life with both hands.