Sabela Dictionary PDF: The 26, 27, and 28 Gangster Language

Disclaimer: The Sabela dictionary article is for informational purposes only. We do not approve or praise the activities of criminals/criminal organisations

 

The Sabela isn’t exactly a language in the traditional sense. It’s more of a secret code spoken by members of the 26s, 27s, and 28s, the Numbers Gangs. For simplicity, though, we’ll call it a language here. Mastering Sabela is non-negotiable for gang members. In fact; it’s a rite of passage. In prison, new recruits undergo an intense crash course, speaking Sabela day and night under the watchful eye of their “blackboard,” or teacher. It’s a tough initiation, but for those within the Numbers, fluency isn’t optional—it’s the ultimate badge of belonging.

 

Origin Of The Sabela 

 

Back in the early 1900s, the mines of South Africa were a melting pot of cultures and languages. Miners from across the country needed a way to understand each other, so they started blending bits of isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, and more. That is how Sabela was said to have been born.

 

In prisons, the notorious Numbers Gang adopted Sabela as their own. It became their code, their culture, their way of ensuring only insiders understood their values and traditions. New members were taught the gang’s history in Sabela, mixing in their own mother tongues to create Fanigalore—a gritty patchwork of South African languages.

 

When miners and ex-prisoners returned home, Sabela came with them, crossing from prisons to townships and beyond.

 

The Sabela In Pop Culture

 

Sabela has definitely moved out of the shadows and into the mainstream. What used to be associated with gangsters is now part of the daily chat for a lot of men. You’ll hear it everywhere – from group chats to street corners. Some think it adds a bit of street cred, while others might roll their eyes, seeing it as a sign of being “uncultured.” Still, Sabela’s influence keeps growing. It’s in the music of Cape Afrikaans rappers like Slagysta and Dookoom, and films like Noem My Skollie and Nommer 37 have brought it to the big screen.

 Listen to the Sabela

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Read The Sabela Dictionary: The 26, 27, And 28 Gangster Language

A

Aanhitser – someone who provokes others
Aarde in twee geskeur – split between Nongoloza (28) and Nkilikijaan (27)
Afhaal – how someone is addressed
Afkoel – relax
Afslaan – taking something from someone
Agge – refers to the 28’s
Agter ryer – inmate always accompanying officials
Agterkant – being untruthful
Anker – stop
Aweh – agree

 

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B

Baita – to close or lock up
Baiza – feeling confused
Bala – writing
Baleka – run
Balie – toilet
Balieraad – toilet paper
Baliza – communicate
Battlefield – area of gang fights
Bed maak – starting a sexual relationship
Berge – solitary confinement or single cells
Bheka – pretending
Birthday/ hy verjaar – death
Biteeza – food
Biza/ beeza – confused
Blackboard – gang teacher
Blacksmith – makes weapons
Blinkding – money
Bloed dronk – someone who stabs without hesitation
Bloed en vleis – earning rank through stabbing
Bloed kyk – engaging in violence
Bloed moet val – a stabbing must happen
Bloed vat – assault with intent to harm
Blokke gooi – defending oneself
Blom tuin – cell area for wyfies (submissive members)
Boeie moet val – a stabbing is required
Boek 30 – food
Boek/Book – gang’s oral history
Boere – law enforcement officers
Bombai – not authentic
Borsspelt – senior gang member with an office
Bos – sleeping area for non-gang members
Bombela – workplace
Bovana – blood
Brandmerk – gang tattoo
Brandstraf – punishment through sodomy
Bruin pakkies – correctional officers
Bugle – meeting announcement
Bugle van Dondolo – 27’s call after stabbing an official
Buitekant – not subject to gang rules
Byonet – sharpened weapon
Byonet lig – ready to stab
Byonet up, bayonet down – ritual before a gang fight

 

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C

Cave/grot – 28-gang’s place for sexual activity
Ceeko – morning meeting before unlocking
Centre post – meeting leader
Chaise nomaganjaan – speak as you want
Chaizana – consulting or discussing
Chappies – gang tattoos
Chico boys – 26-gang members
Chise – obtaining or speaking to someone
Cleaner – office worker for officials
Crossroads – gathering place before gang fights
Currency – sim card

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D

Dalakala van shlashluka wat die driekamp ruk met stand up – describes an event where 26, 27, and 28 groups were attacked by officials and may unite to resist authority
Daleka – describes an occurrence
Deep level – someone nearing gang initiation
Die bos van nyakati – cannabis (dagga)
Die ding kyk – do whatever you want
Die hond van madala gongiqokile – a 28 saying meaning “see you tomorrow”
Die nek – leader of a street gang
Die laaste strale – sunset, 28’s active time
Die nommer is by jou – the decision is yours
Die nommer maak vol – agreement
Die nommer sal duidelik kom – you’ll understand later
Die skoot het geval – smuggling of drugs
Die tyd is weg – time has passed
Dingena – what do you want?
Dit is nie geskryf nie – not a gang rule
Docket – a gang member’s history
Docket hang – targeted while awaiting trial for breaking gang rules
Dondo – smuggled cellphone
Doring pad – court transport with police escort
Down met n wrong, stand up with salute – gang meeting protocol of kneeling until agreement is reached
Draad – gang member tasked with information gathering
Drade breek – escaping
Dril – training gang members in rituals
Drilbaan – area for training gang rituals
Dronkie – confused about gang rules
Duime druk – borrowing something
Duime skoonmaak – returning what was borrowed
Duiwel stert – sharp weapon
Duty – issued instruction

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E

Eerste bak – Breakfast
Eerste strale – Tomorrow morning
Eerste wet – Primary gang rule
Ek sal nie wetloos kapoeka nie – I won’t discuss things not in the gang’s teachings

 

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F

Faka faka – Smuggling contraband
Fanigalore – Sabela’s mixed language
Fikile – Gang captain (rank 2)
Fotcha – To observe
Fojizo – Evidence
Follies – Cigarettes
Fondela – To reach consensus
Fourth camp – Street gangs
Frans – Outsider to the gang
Frans van ouens – Outsiders who want to join the gang
Frans van Slavilanga – Outsider about to join the 27-gang
Frans van son af – Outsider about to join the 28-gang
Frans van son op – Outsider about to join the 26-gang
Funda – Agreement between gang members

 

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G

Gaagi – Accepting something
Gatta – Officer or SAPS member
Gavuka van die eerste strale – Morning after sunrise
Gazilaam – Close blood brother
Gcina – To acknowledge
Gcwalisela – To complete a task
Gebaita – A gang member neglecting duties
Gebomde nommer – False claim
Geboorte van die skrif – Gang’s historical origin
Gedala – Carry out an order
Gedaleka – What occurred
Gee krag weg – Losing strength
Gekamandela met bloed rooi boeie – Senior member charged with misconduct
General – Gang leader
Gepenzula – Taking something forcefully
Geplant op die grond – Assigning territory
Germiston – 28-gang member managing information
Geskaal – Received less than promised
Gesnyde grond – Gang’s defined territory
Getuig – To speak or support
Geval – Deceased
Ghaitela – Separate or part ways
Ghazi – Blood brother
Giemba – Excessively greedy
Glas – Observer handling gang operations
Glase change – Shift perspective
Goba – Labor or work
Goliat – Key decision-maker in the 28-gang
Gomo – Vehicle escorting prisoners
Graveyard – Place of frequent violence
Grot – 28-gang’s base
Gunjas – Tattoos showing gang rank
Gwala – Respect what I say
Gwalanganjaan – Who are you and what’s your purpose?
Gwalisile – Made you understand
Gayta die point – Released from prison

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H

Haas se vel – Prison correspondence
Hallelujah baba – Penis
Hangpaal – Death penalty
Hekke – Camp entrance
Hoe change hulle?/die nommer – Questioning loyalty
Holborsel – Informant
Hold – Pause or stop
Holland – Refers to the 27-gang
Hollander – Member of the 27-gang
Holy water/heilige water – Sexual activity
Hom – 27-gang greeting or an alert to listen
Hondjie – Rolled toilet paper used as a lighter
Horings and stert kry – Betrayer likened to the devil
Hosh – Greeting acknowledging presence
Hou vas – Hold on
Hout – Truth
Houte – Matches
Huis toe kom – Ritual recitation for gang induction
Hy het nie salute nie – Someone who has erred
Hy het nie skrif nie – Lacks understanding of gang culture
Hy het salute – Respected and reliable
Hy het skrif – Understands gang culture
Hy hou vas – He’s in command
Hy is geklap – He’s been shot
Hy is op die narrow – He escaped

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I

In die stof – Serving time in prison
In die wind skiet – Failed to carry out the order to stab
In gaan – Engaging in sexual activity
In sy boots klim – Stepping into a gang member’s role
Inchailo – Comprehend gang language
Indota – A male individual
Inkosi – The gang’s supreme leader, also refers to the top level of the gang
Inspection – Checking if recruits are advancing
Intjiswa – A gang member
Is ek wat jou mameza – I’m the one searching for you
Is middel deur vir jou – A warning of potential harm from the gang
Isithupa – Refers to the 26-gang
Isulêka – When I return

 

 

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J

Jaag geluk weg – associated with bad company
Jamang – toilet
Jeeba – let’s go
Jikijela – go check it out or keep an eye on something
Joembaan – anything that could cause harm in prison
Jood – the prison commissary
Juries – the different sections of the gang
Jy gaan vlamvat – threat of stabbing someone
Jy het fokkol waarheid – you are not telling the truth
Jy moet bona – you must watch closely
Jy moet jou Sabela kyk – be cautious with your words
Jy moet vaskyk – you have to do it
Jy sal gwala – you will see (a threat)

 

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K

3 Kamp – the 26, 27, and 28-gangs
4de kamp – community or street-level gangs
Kala – to complain
Kamandela – to be arrested
Kanna kanna – weapon used for 28 gang initiations
Kap sterte – loss of privileges or responsibilities
Kaperdien – fighters
Kapsabels – knives
Katkop – a half loaf of bread
Kavuga – moving forward
Kavuta van die eerste strale – phrase used by the 26s and 27s to refer to sunrise and their operating hours
Khamka – come here
Klaar maak – to kill someone
Klak – ability to speak Sabela
Klap my special met salute – something that makes me feel better
Klip – buttocks
Klip geskryf – the stone on which the gang laws are written
Klip kap – a request for sex between the legs
Klip slaan – sodomy
Knyp – to stab
Koeël – contraband wrapped in plastic, hidden in the rectum
Koekblik – a gay inmate
Koeloekoets (nkulukud) – solitary confinement
Kom vol – listen to what I’m saying
Komba – to snitch
Kongani – because
Kop vreet – to be worried or anxious
Koppel – to be involved in something
Krag weg gee – to be weak
Krale – home
Krale bou – returning home after completing a sentence
Kring sit – when the top leaders of the gang meet
Krom gekom – I don’t have it
Kroon – money
Kroon gedagte – obsessed with money
Kroon kyk – the work of the 26-gang (focused on money)
Kry – to understand
Kwadlapanz – to discuss numbers

 

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L

Laaste strale – sunset
Laaste wet – when everyone fights together (the three-camps united)
Land skoffel – prepare to stab
Landela – arrive
Landuni – soldier of the 28-silver line
Lange gooi – going home or being released from prison
Langpad – a long prison sentence
Lanie – correctional officer or a white person
Latjies – a situation where someone is due to receive a beating
Law – police officers
Le op die glas – under investigation
Lees – studying someone’s behavior
Lewendig bring – to create something new
Lewendig vooreg – still alive
Lewendig werk – an active gang member
Lungile – everything is okay
Lyn – to go somewhere or have something important arranged

 

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M

Maak staan – to hold authority
Ma se kind – close brother
Maak en doen – ignored gang guidelines
Mabalang – gang clerk
Mabazo – leader of the gold line 28 soldiers
Mabobas – the pipes (tools) used by the nyanga/doctor
Mabona – overseer of the 28-gang
Madala 1 – respected senior member
Magalies – punishment involving tobacco
Makulu book – imagined set of gang rules
Malitas – sharp young members
Malitas van sonop – young boys soon to join 26-gang
Mamboza – senior or injured members unable to perform
Mameza – listen closely to what’s being said
Manje – have knowledge
Manskap berre – funeral of a fellow gang member
Manskappe – gang members
Manskappe bou – to recruit new gang members
Mapanslas – top-ranking members of the 28-gang
Mapienda/mapinda – criminal, often ex-prisoner
Mapuza – correctional officer
March – time to move
Matambos het toegemaak – someone has died
Minute – a brief moment
Mis – false information
Mizuzu – momentary pause
Mlungu – a white person
Moliva – female/wife
Mooi laitie – potential recruit for the 28 silver line
Mpata and fondela – listen and understand
Mphata – non-gang affiliated
Myne – prison

 

 

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S

Sagte kol – quiet spot
Salute – greeting, everything is fine
Sand – sugar
Scumba – meeting
Seeko/Siko – gang members’ pre- and post-activity meetings
Sfogiso – evidence
Shalom – greeting from the 27-gang
Shlahluku – something that occurred
Shumbaan – sock stuffed with soap, used as punishment
Sif – imaginary safe for money
Sikhosi – the gang leaders
Sitha – to sit or stay
Six nine – toilet area
Skalaza/skalazo – complaints
Skangaga – skangaga means to make trouble. Also: “I’m here/I’m around.”
Skarrel – to move around aimlessly or to hustle
Skatties – time
Skebenga – traitor
Sketsha – something happened
Skibengas – inexperienced young members
Skiet yster – knife
Skietbaan – betrayer to the gang who is vulnerable
Skijimas – another name for the gang’s glass and wire
Skool gee – to teach gang procedures
Skoon frans – does not belong to a gang
Skoon person – a person in good standing with the gang
Slambaza – betrayer
Slavilanga – 27-gang
Slice – mistake
Smeer goed – butter, peanut butter, or jam
Snuif – tobacco
Sofwolk – new member
Soldaat – low-ranking member (soldier)
Son of Marubaan – refers to a 26-gang member
Son of Nkilikijaan – refers to a 27-gang member
Son of Nongoloza – refers to a 28-gang member
Son op – refers to 26-gang’s operational time
Son Sak – when 28’s are active
Spanga – the unit or courtyard
Spangeni – to work outside prison
Spat – to run away
Speen – rope used to pass contraband through windows
Spieels – eyes
Spierwit – refers to 26-gang’s flag
Spohlongo – oath of the 28-gang
Springs – top leaders of 26 and 27-gangs
Spyker – money for the 28’s
Staan in sy boots vir die minute – to step into someone’s position
Staan maak – to prove something
Stairs – top leadership of the 28-gang
Stalala – name
Stalaza – name
Stalle – holding place for soldiers
Stamp – tattoo
Stamp sit – to receive gang tattoo after initiation
Stamp slaan – new tattoo for new member
Stand up – to protect oneself
Starter pack – initial stage of one’s sentence
Steek uit – to come over
Stel ‘n bom – to mislead someone
Stem kry – to listen
Stem lig – to speak up
Sterk bene – to show support
Sterk frans – non-gang member who isn’t afraid of the gang
Sterk maak – to obtain something
Stert en horings – betrayer, or devil
Stimela – to identify a gang member on admission
Stofwolk – new admissions
Stokkies – awaiting trial
Stone Yard – a place before joining the 27-gang
Stongas – to declare yourself a gang member
Stongas sonder – members who can’t prove their gang affiliation
Straight maak – to understand
Strip – to steal
Stry die nommer – disobedient to the gang
Suleka – to arrive
Swak – lacking
Swart – doing wrong
Swipe – a hungry way of eating

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T

Tak veertig – cannabis
Tamboela – initiation of new members
Tambula/tamboela – promotion of gang members
Telly – total number of gang members
Tennis – gambling
Terug al met salute – no problem
Terug bring – to reflect on something
Terug val – relax or ease off
Three times – refers to 28-gang’s golden line
Tight corner – place of isolation
Tjappies – gang tattoos
Toe kamp – maximum-security prison
Toe kap – being incarcerated
Toe maak – to deceive or lie
Tollenbom – another term for 27-gang
Tollomshlope – dead or deceased
Tou – death sentence
Train – overcrowded prison cell
Tsjonna langa – the 28-gang
Tsjonnas – members of the 28-gang
Tussen die horings skiet – to stab someone
Twaalf punte – highest ranking members of the gang
Twee soorte – a homosexual person
Tweede bak – lunch
Two times – the 28 silver line division

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U

Ubhekile – gang member
Udakiwe – confused or disoriented
Uitbors – arrogant or self-important person
Uitklim – avoid involvement
Uitstaan – marked for stabbing
Ukhubekhelwa – promoted within the gang
Ukhushuka iskhumba – hold a meeting
Ukugwayisa – to intimidate
Umaphuza – correctional officer
Umduyandiya – sodomy or enclosing around the bed
Umfundisi – prison chaplain
Umkandakanda – sit together for discussion
Umkhonto – weapon
Undelevane – official
Unombotshane – female
Up! Up! – call to signal a stabbing
Uvugu – hidden identity

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V

Vedala – finished or completed
Vedala – to kill or strip of power
Vedala saam – to die or suffer together
Van ‘n pos af – off duty or not alert
Van ‘n spoor af – to mislead someone
Vang die gril – refuse transfer
Vang minute – wait briefly
Vas brand – stabbed to earn rank
Vas kyk – to focus or stand firm
Vasbrand – to remain loyal
Vat en gaan – go stab someone
Versterk – to provide support
Vier hoeke – prison environment
Visinteer – to search
Vlag afskiet – target a specific gang
Vlag plant – mark your territory
Vlag wapper – sign of victory
Vlam vat – to get hurt
Voetspore doodmaak – cover up evidence
Vol maak – give up information
Vondela – to know someone’s details
Voorreg – visit from outside
Voorreg – in line for promotion
Vuil hond – inmates who cooperate with officials
Vuil papiere – tattoos of a rival gang
Vuil werke – illegal activities
Vuurmaak – instigate actions

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W

Warm kol – isolation or tight corner
Warm kop – someone who acts impulsively
Wat getuig jy/ wat wys jy – what are you saying
Werk – gang activities
Werk onder die skelm – to conceal gang activities
Way! – greeting of the 28’s
White house – refers to the top leadership of the 28-gang
Wiel – cell phone battery
Wind – airtime or phone credit
Wipe – clear your mind
Witbene – deceased
Woelabamba – gang inspector
Wyfie – woman in the gang
Wys raak – to make someone understand

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Y

Yard – the exercise area
Yster – knives
Ytpak – to talk

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Z

Zulus – refers to the 28-gang
Zonalang – sunset

 

 

The Sabela Dictionary

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