Languages in South Africa

South Africa has 11 official languages (English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda, isiNdebele, Xitsonga and Sesotho). All have an equal status. The languages that is spoken by most people is isiZulu, followed by isiXhosa.

IsiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele are referred to as the Nguni languages, and have much in common. The Sotho languages - Setswana, Sepedi and Sesotho - also have many similarities in syntax and grammar.

We have added some useful words and phrases in all languages. You can access this information via the menu under languages.