“She Speaks Proper Than Me”: KwaZulu Natal Indian Girl Raises Eyebrows With Her Fluent Zulu

• A high school Indian girl impressed social media users after a video showed her speaking perfect Zulu with authentic mannerisms and accent
• The young woman from KwaZulu-Natal introduced herself in fluent Zulu, surprising many who don't expect Indian South Africans to master indigenous languages
• Her linguistic skills sparked positive reactions, celebrating South Africa's multicultural diversity and the beauty of cross-cultural integration

A young Indian South African girl has captured hearts across the nation after a video of her speaking flawless Zulu went viral on social media.

The high school student was recorded by her friend casually introducing herself in perfect Zulu, complete with authentic accent and natural mannerisms that would make any Zulu speaker proud. Content creator @SmindloLoOphushayo shared the clip at the end of May, which quickly gained attention for showing the beautiful reality of South Africa's multicultural society.

In the video, the young woman confidently states in Zulu that she's from KwaZulu-Natal, speaking with such fluency and authenticity that viewers were left amazed. Her pronunciation, tone, and body language were so natural that many commented she speaks better Zulu than some native speakers they know.

Indian South Africans and language diversity

The video highlights an interesting aspect of Indian South African identity that often goes unnoticed. While English serves as the primary language for most Indian South Africans, many grow up in diverse communities where they naturally pick up other South African languages. This linguistic flexibility stems from their integration into broader South African society, particularly through schools where they interact with friends from different racial and cultural backgrounds.

Indian South Africans have a rich history dating back to 1860 when the first indentured labourers arrived in Natal. Over time, this community has become deeply rooted in South African soil, with many families now spanning multiple generations. Unlike recent immigrants from India, established Indian South African families have developed a distinctly local identity that embraces both their ancestral heritage and their African home.

In schools across KwaZulu-Natal, where the largest concentration of Indian South Africans lives, students often learn Zulu as a second or third language alongside English and sometimes Afrikaans. However, true fluency as demonstrated in the video usually comes from genuine friendships and community integration rather than formal classroom learning alone.

Watch the Facebook clip below:

Mzansi celebrates the girl's fluency

The video sparked overwhelmingly positive reactions from South Africans who celebrated the young woman's language skills:

@Ranelo Mzondi Lukholo joked:

"Chicken curry and rice 🔥😂😭"

@Thami Shamiso Makhubu admitted:

"She speaks more proper than me..."

@LaNgubonene Make Dhlamini Lantuthu praised:

"So fluent in Zulu... You are loved 🥰"

@Bathoeng Molete celebrated:

"Nice and gorgeous, we are ONE RACE 😍"

@William Ledwaba declared:

"South Africa is a proud multi-universal and culturally diverse land.🇿🇦"

@Gift Matshiane expressed:

"The South Africa we know and want."

@Gabiey Shabane added:

"This is what we must see as a diverse country ❤️❤️"

Best time to learn a language?

Thinking of learning a Mzansi lingo? Well, the best time to start learning a language is right now, and at any age. While it's true that kids have an easier time picking up languages because their brains' heightened plasticity before 10, adults can still learn. Some studies show that people can continue to learn languages effectively well into adulthood, with some even showing greater cognitive improvements than younger learners.

What's most important is consistent practice and exposure. Whether you're a teenager or an adult, it's possible to master a new language with the right mindset and dedication.

Other language stories trending

• Briefly News recently reported on an Afrikaner woman who spoke perfect Sotho to express her admiration for DJ Karri, but her unexpected reason for wanting to meet him left viewers surprised.
• An Afrikaans farmer's attempt at speaking English had South Africans rushing to help him with translations, though many missed the deeper message he was trying to convey about his farming passion.
• Springbok captain Siya Kolisi had Mzansi in stitches when he attempted Spanish during his Peru visit, but his admission about how his pronunciation sounded revealed something hilarious about his linguistic struggles.

Hilary Sekgota, human interest head of desk at Briefly News, contributed to this article.

Source: Briefly News