English

Noun

tsotsi ‎(plural tsotsis)

1. (South Africa) A hoodlum or street thug, especially one from the townships; a township skollie.
   • 1979, André Brink, A Dry White Season, Vintage 1998, p. 39:

     A gang of tsotsis – hooligans – attacked a group of older men, and when the owner tried to throw them out they ran amok in the place, smashing everything in their way.

   • 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 88:

     Gangsters – known as tsotsis – carrying flick-knives or switchblades were plentiful and prominent [...].

   • 2006 Cape Times, 17 Mar 2006:

     Mandela, standing up for all the tsotsis out there, said: "Don't dismiss any youngsters who are not behaving according to your wishes."

Derived terms

• tsotsitaal