Abantu abangeke bavumelane entweni zonke.
English Literal Equivalent:Only water moves in one direction.
English Meaning: Accept the fact that people are bound to differ in some ways.
Context: In a given area or region, water will always flow in one direction, that is towards where the land is sloping. People on the other hand, despite them being of the same family, tribe, kinship or otherwise are less likely to agree or to share the same opinion or even taste. It is implied in this proverb that people are not like water which flows in the same direction.
Application: In society there are people who believe everyone should have the same views or tastes as they do. In discussions, such people will tend to be emotional once their opinions are challenged or once people express views that are different from theirs. Once that happens, some important and valuable opinions are suppressed. The proverb therefore applies to such situations by advising that people are bound to have different opinions and tastes.