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indigenous languageslatest news & developments
South Africa’s official African languages mask dozens of dialects, affecting millions, especially in rural areas
AFRICAN LANGUAGE LITERACY

When home tongues clash with classroom words

South Africa’s official African languages mask dozens of dialects, affecting millions, especially in rural areas

  • Rod Amner
  • Mohale Manyama
8 min read
On the right page: Children’s book author and executive director of Nal’ibali, Lorato Trok. Photo: Supplied
AFRIKAANS

Lorato Trok: Writing our languages back into the story

Author speaks of her dedication to keeping indigenous languages alive through children’s books and her hopes for the growth of South African languages

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
8 min read
The ANC’s claim on black voters still rests on a story of deliverance. The SACP’s claim rests on a story of unfinished deliverance. Both stories derive legitimacy from the same past but they license different futures
2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Mbalula: SACP’s decision to contest elections will split members

There are concerns that the decision will weaken the ANC in future elections

  • Mandisa Makgakga
4 min read
Africa’s writer NgugiwaThiong’o.
AFRICAN INTELLECTUALS

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, literary icon and cultural revolutionary, dies at 87

His pen exposed injustice, honoured heritage and helped free the African imagination from colonial constraint

  • Kibo Ngowi
4 min read
One of the cornerstones of our cultural heritage is the recognition and promotion of South African official languages.(Brenton Geach/Gallo)
CONSTITUTION EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT

In honour of South Africa’s cultural and linguistic richness this Heritage Month

The Constitution ensures the protection and promotion of every citizen’s unique heritage

  • Daniela Ellerbeck
  • Alfred Mahkuntsu
5 min read
‘It was with much shock and absolute disbelief when one day back in 2000 while driving in Johannesburg, I heard Jonas Gwangwa using a SiNdebele phrase on his album A Temporary Inconvenience (Epic/Sony Records 2000).’
A TEMPORARY INCONVENIENCE

How Jonas Gwangwa used his music to preserve his mother tongue

Music giant Dr Jonas Gwangwa, who passed away on 23 January, used his influence to promote the language of his people MaNdebele ase Nyakatho, writes Lucas Ledwaba

  • Lucas Ledwaba
8 min read
ANGLOPHILE

The language of Afrikaans is not the problem

English is a valuable resource, but we cannot continue to promote it at the expense of the indigenous languages — including Afrikaans

  • Conrad Steenkamp
6 min read