Khuduts

Khuduts (plural Khudutsi) is a term used in South Africa, primarily in the Afrikaans language and South African English, to refer to a small, often homemade, structure or shelter. The structure is typically ramshackle or temporary and is usually constructed of scrap materials like corrugated iron, wood, plastic sheeting, or cardboard.

A Khuduts is often associated with informal settlements or impoverished areas. It implies a rudimentary dwelling built out of necessity, reflecting a lack of access to formal housing. The term carries connotations of impermanence and poverty.

While often used to describe a small house or shack, "Khuduts" can also refer to any type of makeshift shelter, such as a guardhouse or a temporary storage space, constructed from salvaged materials. The term is less about the specific purpose of the structure and more about its construction quality and the implication of limited resources used in its creation.

The origin of the word is debated, but it is thought to possibly derive from an onomatopoeic representation of the sound made by the materials used in its construction being knocked or scraped together. Other suggested origins include derivations from indigenous languages of the region.