Mashonisa

🇿🇦 South Africa
Added August 02, 2025
TOP DEFINITION
A township term for a loan shark – someone who lends money informally at high interest. Mashonisas prey on those who can't get bank loans. In Zulu, it literally means "one who causes bankruptcy."
"After I lost my job, I had to borrow from a mashonisa to pay rent. (English, meaning "After I lost my job, I had to borrow from a loan shark to pay rent.")"
by Khulekani Dladla August 02, 2025
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A loan shark in township slang. A mashonisa is an informal money lender who often charges very high interest. It literally means 'one who causes you to sink' (financially) – an allusion to drowning in debt.
"Careful with those mashonisas; ugeza imali manje, but uzokhala (you wash money now, but you'll cry later). (Meaning: Be careful with those loan sharks; it feels good to get the cash now, but you'll regret it later.)"
by Khulekani Dladla August 02, 2025
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Mokoloti / Motho oa mašeleng (Loan shark / Money person)
"Mashonisa o batla 50%! (The loan shark wants 50%!)"
by Khulekani Dladla August 10, 2025
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