Zama zama

Added May 15, 2025
TOP DEFINITION
Zama zama is an African slang expression that may have different meanings depending on the context.
by Khulekani Dladla May 15, 2025
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A term for illegal miners who risk their lives to dig for gold in disused mines. By extension, calling someone a zama zama implies they're involved in desperate, dangerous hustles. (Comes from Zulu 'zama' = try, so 'try-try').
"He was working as zama zama under Johannesburg – dangerous jobs just to send money home. (Meaning: He was working as an illegal miner beneath Johannesburg – a dangerous job just to send money back home.)"
by Khulekani Dladla August 02, 2025
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