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Zulu's close relative has ox to transport (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

xhosa

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'zulu's close' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'relative has ox to transport' is the wordplay.
'has ox' anagrams to 'XHOSA'.
But, I am not clear how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for xhosa that I've seen before include "Member of a Bantu-speaking tribe" , "South African tribe" , "South African cattle-rearing people" , "Tribesman" , "Clicking tongue" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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