Definitions

1. noun

A young gangster, especially in South Africa, or a thug or hoodlum.

“He was a notorious tsotsi from the townships, known for his street smarts and cunning.”

2. proper noun

The title of a 2005 South African film directed by Gavin Hood, based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Athol Fugard.

“The film ‘Tsotsi’ won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.”