Mashonisa definition 1
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.")"
Mashonisa definition 2
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.)"
Mashonisa definition 3
Mokoloti / Motho oa mašeleng (Loan shark / Money person)
"Mashonisa o batla 50%! (The loan shark wants 50%!)"
Mashonisa definition 4
Geldlener (Money lender)
"Avoid the mashonisa (Avoid the money lender)"
Mashonisa definition 5
Informal money lender | Informele geldlener
"Don't go to the mashonisa, the interest is too high"
Word Details
- Country
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- Definitions
- 5 community definitions
- Added
- August 2025
↻ Similar Words
🇿🇦 About South Africa Slang
South African slang, from Cape Town to Johannesburg, mixes Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Sotho, and English into uniquely expressive township and street language.
KASINARY has 2661 South Africa slang words collected from native speakers.
Browse all South Africa slang (2661 words)🌍 "Mashonisa" Across Africa
This word is also used in 1 other country, sometimes with a different meaning.
🇿🇦 More South Africa Slang
Related South Africa Slang Words
More from Khulekani Dladla
Discussion (0 comments)
Leave a Comment
Keep exploring African slang
Be the first to share your thoughts on Mashonisa.