Pan South African Language Board

The Pan South African Language Board is a constitutional institution tasked with protecting and promoting the use of languages in SA.

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

Please tune into RADIO NFM 89-98.7 as Dr Keaobaka Seshoka, our recently appointed CEO, will make her radio debut today at 13:10 to discuss her plans for PanSALB and its stakeholders.

Stream the live interview here: https://t.co/F3cXBLMMBc

#OneNationManyLanguages

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

We are excited to welcome Dr Keobaka Seshoka as our new CEO, starting today, 1 June 2026.

Welcome, Dr K! We are thrilled to have you as part of our team.🥳🖤

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

On this #AfricaDay, it is important to ask if our linguistic differences truly create divisions among us, given that that Africa is a continent that rich in multilingualism.

The concept of Ubuntu, known as Botho in Setwana, Hunhu in Shona and Utu in Kiswahili, holds significant importance for both Africans and the Diaspora.

As a result, PanSALB advocates for the adoption of the philosophy of Ubuntu as a guiding principle in our interactions as Africans.

Happy Africa Day!🖤🌍

#AfricaMonth

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

Mintirho ya vulavula, congratulations @orlandopirates 🖤🤍 #BetwayPrem champions

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

STATEMENT | PanSALB recognises the significance of Africa Day 🌍

The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) joins the rest of the continent in observing Africa Day (25 May). Africa Day is observed annually during Africa Month (May) in recognition of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963, later renamed the African Union.

As a constitutional body mandated with promoting, protecting and creating conditions for the development of all official languages, including Khoi & San languages, PanSALB wishes to highlight the ongoing challenges facing African indigenous languages across the continent. According to the United Nations (UN), of 7,000 indigenous languages spoken in the world today, four in 10 are in danger of disappearing.

In a bid to address this, the UN declared the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) to draw attention to the plight of indigenous languages and to mobilise stakeholders and resources for their revitalisation, preservation and promotion https://t.co/w1ixQYiUJK

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

African oral traditions, which include songs, folktales, proverbs and sayings, are among the oldest methods of passing down knowledge and information from one generation to the next.

Some of Africa's oldest languages are the oral Khoe and San languages, which are widely spoken in Southern Africa.

#AfricaMonth

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@Meticulous_K @murphygee5 South Africa has a multilingual language policy as enshrined in the constitution. We have 12 official languages, which enjoy parity of esteem.

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@CruzLuvDelux @GovernmentZA Context missed, but we are glad we have a language enthusiast in you. 😊

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@TendaiChirau @ali_naka Multilingualism is who we are, it is part of us 🖤

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

Did You Know that Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda and most recently Lesotho have granted official status to their respective sign language?

Eswatini, Malawi and Namibia continue to prioritise sign language in education and government administration.

These countries demostrate a broader continental commitment to advancing the use and development of sign language in Africa.
#AfricaMonth

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@ChimCham7 @MimiReeds Those are our significant days which we will be observing. It’s in the draft format since we are yet to update provinces.

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

The southern tip of Africa is a lively mix of cultures and languages. It includes countries like Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

These countries are close to each other and share similar languages, such as Nama, Setswana, isiXhosa and Tshivenda to name a few.

Zimbabwe is immensely impressive for having a rich variety of languages, with 16 official languages, followed closely by South Africa with 12 official languages.

#AfricaMonth
#AfricaDay

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@ChimCham7 @MimiReeds Here’s a draft calendar. We will include the indigenous languages and media seminar set for August in the Eastern Cape as soon as we can.

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@ChimCham7 @MimiReeds Point taken. 🙏🏽

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

The purpose of this post was to spark discussion and raise awareness about the wide variety of Southern African languages. While isiZulu boasts the largest number of speakers and was featured in our previous post, we have focused on other languages this time to highlight their unique qualities and contributions.

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

Our huge congratulations to Andiswa Gebashe who received The Order or Ikhamanga in Gold from @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa today.

This prestigious recognition is as a result of her remarkable efforts in improving access to information for the Deaf community through South African Sign Language.

Sithi halala Andiswa, we are incredibly proud of you! 🤟🏽🎊

#NationalOrders

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

Afrika ririmi ra mina 🌍

The choice of language and the use to which language is put is central to a people’s definition of themselves in relation to their natural and social development, indeed to the entire universe.” Ngugi Wa Thiong’o

#AfricaMonth

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

To the most courageous and caring mothers and mother figures, we appreciate all that you do. Your generosity and insight have significantly impacted lives.

Thank you for all that you are. Wishing you a wonderful Mother’s Day!🖤🎉🎊

#HappyMothersDay

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

@lcschultz36 Thank you former CEO😊

[Pan South African Language Board @PanSALB]

It is with great pride that we announce the appointment of Dr Keaobaka Seshoka as our new CEO, effective 1 June 2026. She brings along wealth of knowledge in language development, promotion and preservation in light of AI technologies.