Money Slang You Need to Know in Cape Town

Remember R2 and R5 notes? Or that random half-cent coin that was like, yoh, why did you even exist? Before 1990, there weren’t even R100 or R200 notes in circulation. South African money has an interesting backstory. What’s even more interesting is what us Capetonians call cash when we’re not calling it cash. Inspired by the streets, the hustle, and our unique sense of humour, these money terms have been passed down from one generation to the next like a family ahkni recipe. Let’s look at the most popular terms for money used by everyone, from the taxi guardjie’s to the gamblers on the street corner. 

 

Cape Town’s money slang

 

• Kroon (Afrikaans for “crown”) meaning money in general.
• Donkies (Afrikaans for “donkeys”) meaning cents
• Clip meaning R100
• Blare (Afrikaans for “leaves”) meaning paper notes.
• Bob meaning 20c and 50c.
• Hunny meaning R100.
• Dollars meaning money in general.
• Mandelas meaning paper notes.
• Odd meaning money in general.
• Chock meaning R20.
• De Klerk meaning money in general.
• Macha meaning money in general.
• Blinkding  (Afrikaans for “shiny thing”) meaning money in general.
• Pitte (Afrikaans for “seeds”) meaning money but a small amount.

 

Here’s an explanation of some of the slang words for money

 

“Kroon” 

 

The slang term kroon comes from Afrikaans for “crown” and is a nod to money, especially within gang culture. It’s also linked to the British monarchy’s crown and the wealth they extracted from South Africa during the mineral revolution. For members of the 26-gang, the kroon symbolises the power and control tied to money. You’ll often see it tattooed as a mark of identity.

 

Donkeys

 

The old one and two-cent coins were called donkeys, partly because of their brown colour, resembling a donkey’s coat. Others say the name comes from how useless the coins felt—just like a stubborn donkey refusing to budge. Either way, donkies were small change nobody cared much for.

 

Clips

 

Back in the day people would carry a stack of cash wrapped together with a metal clip. So the R100 got nicknamed the “clip.”

 

“Blare”

 

Blare is a metaphor comparing the thin, papery texture of money to the thin, lightweight nature of leaves blowing in the wind. Makes sense when you think about it!

 

Bob

 

Bob is actually old British slang. A “bob” was a shilling coin. So “two bob” meant two shillings. South Africans held onto the term even after moving away from the British monetary system.

 

Hunny

 

Hunny is just a shortened way of saying “hundred rand”. Not to be confused with actual honey.

 

Mandelas

 

Americans talk about “Benjamins” for their hundred dollar bills featuring Benjamin Franklin. Here in South Africa, our rand notes have Nelson Mandela’s face, so we say “Mandelas” for the paper money.

 

What other terms have you heard? Let me know in the comments!

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