isiZulu (Zulu) is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. There are 10,677,305 (23.82 %) first language speakers [2001 census data], which makes this the language in South Africa with the most first language speakers. isiZulu is mostly spoken in and around Kwa-Zulu Natal (see map). There are also a fairly large number of speakers in the Gauteng area.
isiZulu is a member of the "Nguni" language group, and is most closely related to isiXhosa, isiNdebele and SiSwati.
isiZulu words that have made their way into English
Mamba (a type of snake); Indaba (issue, matter, topic)
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