PanSALB URGES THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO REINSTATE THE 5% LANGUAGE COMPENSATION FOR NON-MOTHER TONGUE USERS
The Pan South African Language Board urges the Minister of Education, Honourable Siviwe Gwarube and uMalusi, the Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, to reinstate the 5% language compensation policy that was previously extended to learners whose home language differed from the language of teaching and learning (LoLT). This mechanism, introduced in […]
ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2025 SA WORD OF THE YEAR
G20 DECLARED SA WORD OF THE YEAR 2025 #SAWordoftheYear On 23 December 2025, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in partnership with media research company Focal Points, announced the 2025 South African Word of the Year. After carefully considering a range of words, terms, and expressions, “G20” was selected as the winner, prevailing over […]
SA Word of the Year Shortlist Announced
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in association with media research company, Focal Points, hereby announces the following shortlisted words as candidates for 2025 SA Word of the Year: SA Word of the Year Social Media Word of the Year Madlanga Commission G20 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Government of National Unity (GNU) Tariffs Femicide National […]
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) on the Recent Shift Towards English as a Medium of Instruction in Former Model C Afrikaans Schools
The Pan South African Language Board has noted the report submitted to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) during a committee meeting held on 2 December 2025, to review the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act and its associated regulations. During the deliberations, the DBE […]
PanSALB Clarifies Naming Convention for Sesotho sa Leboa to Promote Linguistic Unity and Inclusivity
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has noted ongoing public and academic debates regarding the naming of Sesotho sa Leboa versus Sepedi. In fulfilment of its constitutional mandate to promote, protect, and develop all official South African languages equitably, PanSALB reiterates its position that Sesotho sa Leboa is the most inclusive designation, representing a […]
ANNOUNCEMENT: APPOINTMENT OF PanSALB ACTING CEO, MR JULIUS DANTILE
The Board of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Julius Jabavu Dantile, Executive Head: Languages, as the PanSALB Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 1 November 2025. Mr Dantile brings into the role extensive experience and a deep understanding of the language sector, having served […]
PANSALB TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY DAY
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in collaboration with the Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit (TNLU), and the University of Venda, will on Thursday, 16 October 2025, commemorate International Dictionary Day at the University of Venda, Thohoyandou in Limpopo. This year’s commemoration will be observed under the theme “Intelligent Lexicography: Inclusive Dictionary Making in the […]
PanSALB CALLS FOR INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE PRACTICES IN PARLIAMENT & THE MADLANGA COMMISSION
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has noted the regrettable incident wherein a member of parliament asked where a Member of Parliament addressed Lt Gen Mkhwanazi in isiZulu, to which he appropriately responded in the same language. The Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee subsequently urged members to use English in order to “include” […]
PanSALB HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE SHORTAGE OF COURT INTERPRETERS IN SOUTH AFRICA AS THE WORLD OBSERVES INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has expressed concern over the shortage of court interpreters in South Africa, as indicated by Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ) Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi, in her written reply to the National Assembly on 15 August 2025. The indication of this disparity that exists impedes access to justice and coincidentally, […]
PanSALB TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SIGN LANGUAGES
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in collaboration with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will, on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, commemorate International Day of Sign Languages under the theme ‘No Human Rights without Sign Language […]