While we have 11 official languages in South Africa, our indigenous languages do not enjoy the same footing or importance as English and Afrikaans.
The language considered the Italian of Africa might be useful for amorous pursuits but it can prove a major undoing should brawn be required.
It has become the nation’s cultural polyfiller. The second choice of millions of South Africans. English is the language of compromise.
Ke Motswana tota (I’m a pure Motswana). My language is my life and my pride. I think, dream and curse in Setswana.
The advantages of growing up in Soweto are plenty, one being that it is a multicultural society and a melting pot of many languages.
I’m grateful to the youth of 1976 for taking a stand against Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black schools.
Young people fought for their language rights in 1976, but now their interest is gone, writes Vusi Nanas Skosana.
As languages, Tshivenda and isiXhosa are about as far apart from one another other as Venda and the Eastern Cape are in physical distance.
It feels like Xitsonga is under a double-pronged attack: It is marginalised even though it is recognised as an official language in our Constitution.
Ever since grade three my isiZulu vocabulary has slipped further and further away from my tongue, writes Kwanele Sosibo.
My brother and I grew up in an Afrikaans home, fighting about politics, but he can still surprise me, writes Charles Leonard.