Akiba haiozi

Savings never go bad

It's always good to save or invest for the future.

Akipenda chongo huita kengeza

A person in love with a one-eyed person calls her/him "cross-eyed"

When a person is in love, he/she hardly sees the bad attributes of his/her lover. She/he will always belittle or find excuses for any faults on her/his lover.

Akufukuzae hakwambii toka

A person who wants you out of her/his place will not tell you, 'Get out!'

The actual Swahili proverb doesn't stop there, it continues with: "... you will just learn that from her/his actions."

This proverb (which is used a lot in the Swahili world) is just a reminder that people's inner feelings are mostly communicated through actions, attitude and behaviour, and much less through words.

Literally, the proverb tells people not to wait until they are verbally notified that they are no longer welcome at a particular place, instead, they should try to take note of the attitude, actions, and behaviour of their hosts, to know that they have stayed long enough and it was time to leave.

Ala! Kumbe!

I see!! That is so!

A common expression used to show that one is suprised by some information that he or she has just come to know of.

Asante gari ya muhishimiwa

Thanks to the honourable's car

In the Swahili world leaders are always called with "Muhishimiwa" or "Mheshimiwa" title which is the translation for "Honourable" or "His/Her Excellency". In rural areas you hardly find any cars save those government-owned cars given to district and regional commissioners, local concillors, members of parliament, etc. These "honourable's cars" help rural people in many ways including giving them rides (lifts) especially in case of emergencies. That's why this kanga writing expresses gratitude to such a car.

Asiyekujua hakuthamini

He/she who doesn't know you, doesn't value you

Another Swahili proverb: Zimwi likujualo halikuli likakwisha - An ogre (zimwi) that knows you won't eat you completely. In the Swahili folklore, a "zimwi" is believed to be a monster that eats people.

Atakae hachoki

A person in need never gets tired

Of course she/he will feel tired only after getting what she/he wants.