Skollie (plural skollies) is an Afrikaans term of abuse for layabouts, criminals and gangsters.

Origins and meaning

Similar in meaning to the word tsotsi (found in South African townships and general usage), the Afrikaans term was really coined by the white and so-called coloured Afrikaans-speaking community and was often used as a term of abuse for black and coloured individuals, and by extension also for lazy, ne'er do well whites.

The term was later adopted by English-speaking South Africans as well.

Skollies in literature, theatre and film

The term occurs in many plays, novels and films, also used as the name for a criminal character, a quintessential example being the much loved jailbird character called "Skollie" (played by George Ballot) in the ground-breaking TV series Vyfster (1982).

Skollie the film (1984) by Hennie Human

Skollie[1] (1984) is an Afrikaans film written by Hennie Human and directed by Ivan Hall. It was the first film spin-off from the 1982-4 TV series Vyfster and focused on the key character from the series, portrayed by George Ballot.

See Skollie (film)