Kunjani! Learn Fanakalo (Mining Language)
Fanakalo is a simplified contact language built from isiZulu, English and Afrikaans, used underground for clear, unambiguous safety instructions. Our course teaches it with historical context and modern workplace ethics.
Born on the Witwatersrand gold mines, Fanakalo remains a practical shift language on many sites — taught here alongside the multilingual respect policies mines now require.
Used across South African mining and industrial sites
Course levels
Site Induction
12 automated lessons · 6 quizzes · 3 games · 1 assignment
Shift Communication
12 automated lessons · 6 quizzes · 3 games · 1 assignment
Supervisor Level
12 automated lessons · 6 quizzes · 3 games · 1 assignment
Safety Officer Level
12 automated lessons · 6 quizzes · 3 games · 1 assignment
Starter phrases with pronunciation
Kunjani?
How are you?
koon-JAH-nee
Hamba lapha
Go here / this way
HAM-bah LAH-pah
Yima!
Stop!
YEE-mah
Lo msebenzi kahle
This work is good
loh m-seh-BEN-zee GAH-shleh
Faka lo hat
Put on the helmet
FAH-kah loh hat
Ayikho safe lapha
It is not safe here
ah-YEE-koh sayf LAH-pah
Included learning materials
Learner workbook
Printable PDF and Word workbook per level, styled like this site.
Children's book
Illustrated story set in the provinces where the language lives.
Phrase dictionary
Thematic dictionary with pronunciation for every entry.
Audio pack
Downloadable pronunciation drills for offline practice.
Enrolled students download every Fanakalo (Mining Language) workbook, children's book and dictionary from their dashboard.