Cav' Ntwana

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Cav’ (Cava) means, “Check this out. Do you know this? Can you see this?”

Cav’ Ntwana is a series that explores the characters that commonly appear in kasi communities. The project also highlights the stereotypes and status quos we apply to people based on their activities and the brands they drive and drink.

“Bona Mpinche yaka, Bula mahlo oshebe.”

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Ntate Ice Cream (Ice Cream Truck Driver)

That one Groet man ( Grandfather ) who owns a ice cream truck, drives through kasis most of which he is not from. 

No one knows where this Groot Man is from, but the kids from ekasi adore him for his good ice cream. Most know him as Ntate Ice Cream, Ubaba we ice.

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Groot man tsa Tjaro (The Uncles)

These “Groetman” are the wisest and have extensive knowledge on everything that is black related, whether it be politics, marriage, social issues and the works. If there is fountain of knowledge these Groetman found it or there are the fountain knowledge. You can never tell them anything about their drink of choice, Castle Lager. You can never tell them anything about their drink of choice, Castle Lager; fondly referred to by nicknames such as ‘Charles Glass’ or  ‘Castle Matale’ (in Limpopo). The beer itself has garnered a higher social status from its association with these fountains of knowledge.

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Dizolane tsa Kasi ( Hard workers / Hustlers)

Dizolane are already up at the break of dawn, hustling to make money. We hardly see them in clean clothes as they’re always suited in construction/ workwear. All they want to do is work ,the hustler can build you a six room house in 5 days; mow and clean your yard in two hours, and fix anything around your household.

you remember the Black Label commercial “More refreshment more reward at the end of the day.” or "siya sebenza"? , the commercial was actually made for them.

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Noma yini / Abo Malume (Scholar Drivers/local drivers)

These local drivers take children to school and pre-school for R6 to R10 per passenger. Ba popa gai one mokgweding (They usually only get paid once a month. During the course of the month, they get just enough to keep the car running and put food in their mouth).

Noma Yini refers to how unfussy they are about what they drink; Abo Nomayini usually just drink whatever their friends are drinking. Otherwise they count on Lion since it’s the most affordable.

A popular saying: “Jwala abone marapo” (Alcohol does not have bones)

highlights their indifferent attitude towards which brand of alcohol they drink.

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Mazeeta Ka Nana (Mazeeta - ZCC church members , Nana - Nissan 1400 Champ)

these members of The Zion Christian Church usually own a “Smallnyana Spaza Mokhoneng” ( Spaza Shop/ Cornerstore). AboMazeeta lead disciplined and devoted lifestyles that govern everything they do. You will almost always see them wearing their church headwear, we call each other ‘Mogolo’.

The Nissan 1400 is their car of choice. A bakkie that’s usually so well-maintained that it barely looks a year or two old; while it’s actually been around for at least 10. They usually call their favourite tea Mogamolo (‘The Everyday Drink’) and prefer brands such as FG, Joko and Five Roses. Whenever they are not enjoying that, they are probably trying to recruit you to join their church.

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BoMizana Ba Uber (Female Teachers)

Cav’ ntwana, you cav’ Mizana ola wa uber mostrateng sa gago yah owe ntwana? ( you know that lady who is a teacher on your street who drives Toyota Corolla? )

Every kasi street has that one lady who is a teacher.  AboMizana represent the missing middle class of South Africa. We call them Uber drivers because of their car of choice, a generic Toyota Corolla.

These women seem to have the whole ‘life’ thing on lock; their family never go to bed hungry - while they eat seven colours (fancy meals) every evening.

If you’re ever lucky enough to enter their homes, you are likely to be greeted with the words, Kebo  "onyaka Oros?” (May I offer you some Oros?).

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Ntate Mang Mang (Mr ‘This and That’)

Also known as, Ntate Kekana or Baba Mhlanga - these are retired soldiers, teachers or state employees of the Kasi. They once wanted to be farmers. They are highly-respected and viewed as the fathers of the community.

Most people want to live like Ntate Mang Mang’s family. His last born child is probably doing their final year at a prestigious institution, while others are building stable careers.

If Ntate ever sends you to buy KlipDrift Premium (the one with gold netting) and you come back with normal KlipDrift; he’ll send you back to get an exchange or refund.

You know Mr Maputla from Skeem Saam? Yeah, his type.

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Ntate wa Nyuku (Old Groetman with Money)

Also called ‘Mathaozen’ or ‘Morena Dollar’ these men represent half of the Kasi’s 1%. they drive an merc old ones to new ones, C class to be precise. 

Often in their suit and tie, Abo Ntate are always busy with paperwork; and always miss community gatherings because they’re busy making money.

You may spot them arriving at weddings or family ceremonies in their Mercedes Benz. They carry their own "expensive camp master" camp chairs and bring their own bottle especially the one from a Box "Personalised Jameson Whiskey Crate - caskmates", as they don’t like waiting for the ‘family alcohol’. Bo Ntate usually drink premium bottles of Jameson out of their ‘Jameson’ glasses. They hate sharing, and would rather buy you something to drink by yourself.

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#MenAreTrash Band Camp (Abo Miss Independent)

Men are trash 101 they got they manual to that course.These women have been working for about 2 or 3 years and are steadily getting their young lives together.

he bank just approved they loan to finance they car. They usually drive i20’s and are the inspiration for many young girls in the kasi. Abo Sisi prefer Bernin Classic (dont mistaken them for that they don't mean blush, they mean Classic) and are frequently engaged in discussions about careers, feminism and dating.

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Manyora A Style (men with flare and sleek)

The other half of the 1%, these are the flashy doctors and tenderpreneurs. They can buy expensive clothing online, as well as in boutiques. They  drives a V8 , something with a price of a merc but its a beauty, you hardly see them drink Ekasi because they don't want to "act big in the small town", because they prefer to chill with people who know the price tags of their alcohol and clothing.

They can be found sipping Remy Martin at Taboo, Moloko or fancy clubs in Sandton.

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Skoen Pamphiri (Metrosexual Guys)

Metrosexual guy that everyone at Ekasi mistaken him to  be homosexual. He is always clean and look smart, He always have matching clothes. These ones prefer to drink with glass we call them Gin and Tonic guys, the tonic they have make sure it is Mixed by Rose or whatever they call it.

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F#$k Boys Entity (VRRR PHAA Drivers)

These guys can be spotted driving either a Golf 6-7, Polo GTI or Vru Pha! (R32)

Ever heard of the confused people saying a lot of things about f#$k boys, but they don't even know what they mean? There Mark 6  to 7 guys, the Vruu phaaa guys, the minute it says Vrruu by the time it says phaa your girl is gone. 

They have a reputation as notorious womanisers who’s fast, flashy lifestyles seem almost irresistible to young kasi women. These ones are heineken retired drinkers, When they are not driving, they can be found at the local watering hole drinking Coronas, even posing on pictures with the Corona. If corona is not available they rather change spots.

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Built not Bought (Ntwana tsa Kasi/Cheese Boys)

These ones love their cars so much they take it to the car wash 3 times a week, it is always clean as like squeaky clean. Even their girlfriends come second to their ride. They enjoy drinking in open spaces, where they can stand close to their car. There they can drink out of the bonnet (trunk) which could be filled with 2 or 3 cooler boxes of Heineken.

They think Mark 1 golf is the best thing ever that VW ever made and developed.

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Now you Cav' , neh Ntwana!!!