By Dr Michal-Maré Linden
Dr Soyiso Khetoa was elected the new Gauteng Provincial Language Committee (GPLC) Chairperson at the structure’s meeting on 25 August 2026 held at the Commission for Gender Equality in Pretoria. The election was conducted in accordance with PanSALB’s Provincial Language Committee Norms and Rules.
Dr Khetoa succeeds Dr Lutamo Ramuedzisi, the Tshivenḓa representative, who resigned from the position due to work commitments. The GPLC thanked Dr Ramuedzisi for his leadership and valuable contribution to the committee and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Dr Khetoa is the Head of the Department of African Languages at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has also served as Convenor of the GPLC’s Language in Education Subcommittee for the past three years.
He is a founding editorial board member of the Journal of Linguistics, Literary and Communication Studies. His research focuses on sociolinguistics and language education, particularly language attitudes and ideologies, translanguaging, and decolonial approaches to language and education.
Welcoming the newly elected Chairperson, PanSALB Gauteng Senior Provincial Manager, Dr Sally Maepa, expressed confidence in Dr Khetoa’s ability to lead the committee.
“I warmly welcome and congratulate Dr Khetoa on his election as Chairperson of the GPLC. Having worked closely with him over the past three years, I have witnessed his commitment, sound leadership, and passion for language development. I have every confidence that his knowledge and experience will strengthen the work of the committee and help us advance multilingualism and protect the language rights of the people of Gauteng,” said Dr Maepa.
His election comes at a significant time for Gauteng, one of South Africa’s most linguistically and culturally diverse provinces. As communities continue to call for greater access to education and public services in the languages they understand best, the GPLC’s role remains essential in ensuring that multilingualism is not only promoted in policy but experienced in the everyday lives of the people.
