His major languages were Lamba and Luba, but as no suitable examiner was available, he eventually had to change his language to Zulu.
The town is named after the Siphingo River, which in turn is thought to be named (in isiZulu) for the intertwining cat-thorn shrubs (Scutia myrtina) present in the area, or the river's winding course.
In 1999–2000, Soweto Community Radio and Buwa Radio merged to form Jozi FM, to form the largest community radio station in South Africa, broadcasting in several languages including: isiZulu, isiXhosa, English, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana and Xhintsonga.
Rhus pentheri Common Crowberry (English) Gewone Kraaibessie (Afrikaans) iNhlokoshiyane (isiZulu) Mutasiri (baVenda).
In the far south, especially in towns such as Nhlangano and Hlathikhulu, the variety of the language spoken is significantly influenced by iSiZulu.