Detective Kubu 02; The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu

by Michael Stanley

  donga A dry river course, usually with steep sides.

  dumela Setswana for ‘hello’ or ‘good day.”

  gemsbok Afrikaans name for the oryx (Oryx gazella). Large antelope with spearlike horns. Prefers arid habitat.

  Khoisan Name by which the lighter-skinned indigenous peoples of southern Africa, the Khoi (Hottentots) and San (Bushmen), are known. These people dominated the subcontinent for millennia before the appearance of the Nguni and other black peoples.

  koppie Afrikaans for ‘small hill.”

  kubu Setswana for ‘hippopotamus.”

  Landy Term of affection for a Land Rover.

  lechwe Type of water-loving antelope (Kobus leche) common in the wetter areas of Botswana,

  lobola Bride price (originally in cattle) paid to the bride’s parents in African tradition. Sometimes used to set up the newly married couple.

  marula Sderocarya birrea. Large African tree, member of the mango family, with tasty greenish-yellow fruit

  mokoro Watercraft commonly made by hollowing out the trunk of a sausage tree (Kigelia pinnata). Also made from other trees. It is propelled by a long pole held by some one standing on the back.

  mielie Corn.

  Mma Respectful term in Setswana used when addressing a woman. For example, “Dumela, Mma Bengu’ means ‘Hello, Mrs. Bengu.”

  Motswana Singular adjective or noun. “That man from Botswana is a Motswana.” See Batswana.

  Muti Any sort of medicine or potion. The term usually refers to medicines prepared by traditional healers or witch doctors.

  pap Smooth maize meal porridge, often eaten with the fingers and dipped into a meat or vegetable stew.

  pappa le nama Pap and meat.

  potjie A three-legged metal pot used to make stews over an open fire

  pula Currency of Botswana. Pula means ‘rain’ in Setswana. 100 thebes = 1 pula.

  quelea Small seed-eating bird (Quelea quelea). Can occur in huge flocks that in flight resemble clouds of smoke.

  rand Currency of South Africa. 100 cents = 1 rand

  riempie Leather strands that are interlaced to make chair seats.

  rooibos Red herbal tea made from a plant native to southern Africa (Aspalathus linearis).

  Rra Respectful term in Setswana used when addressing a man. For example, “Dumela, Rra Bengu’ means ‘Hello, Mr. Bengu.”

  rusk A kind of hard cakelike sweetened biscuit.

  San Bushmen people. See Bushmen and Khoisan.

  Setswana Language of the Tswana peoples.

  Steelworks Drink made from cola tonic, ginger beer, soda water, and bitters.

  thebe Smallest denomination of Botswanan currency (see pula). 100 thebes = 1 pula.

  EOF