Kaffir

noun

Kaf·fir ˈka-fər

variants or Kafir

archaic : a member of a group of southern African Bantu-speaking peoples

often not capitalized chiefly South Africa, offensive; see usage paragraph below

—used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Black African

Usage of Kaffir

In South Africa, the use of the term Kaffir to refer to a Black African is a profoundly offensive and inflammatory expression of contemptuous racism that is sufficient grounds for legal action. The term is associated especially with the era of apartheid, when it was commonly used as an offensive racial slur, and its offensiveness has only increased over time. It now ranks as perhaps the most offensive term in South African English.