The word skyf (pronounced “skayf”) is a common slang term for a cigarette or joint in Cape Town, especially among those who speak Kaaps. “Skryf trek” means smoking. If you hear someone say “maak ‘n skyf,” it’s a request to light a cigarette or roll a joint. If they say “gee ‘n skyf,” they want a puff of your cigarette. “Vat ‘n skyf” is an invitation to take a drag.
In the Kaaps way of speaking, a cigarette is called an entjie, and once you’ve finished with it, the little stub that gets tossed away is known as a toppertjie.
In a social setting, the skyf isn’t just about the smoke itself—it’s the conversation, the connection, the time spent together. The culture encourages passing a smoke around.
Another part of skyf culture is knowing how to fix a broken cigarette. You separate the filter and tube that holds the tobacco. Often, the torn paper will leave a hole attached to the filter. You’ll need to clean out the bits of tobacco from this hole, then neatly squeeze in the intact end of the tube. Finally, you’ll light the damaged end of the tube. It’s a trick that shows the resourcefulness of smokers when they’re determined to have their skyf.
Author: Editorial Team
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