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32-year-old Ria Reen.
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSAKB) has expressed gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Office and Parliament for featuring a praise singer from the Khoi & San Community in the Northern Cape. The board reiterated that the decision to feature such a language not only shows respect and dignity but also promotes linguistic diversity.
A poetic voice, from a place not known by many, to a national stage. Giving a message of hope, history, and rich heritage to the country. 32-year-old Ria Reen has become a beacon of hope for many in her community of Platfontein. She says when she received a call informing her that she was chosen as the 2026 SONA praise singer, it was a reminder that her dreams are valid.
Reen says her praise was about peace and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead the country.
“I was blessed, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to lead our country, and I mentioned that I will bless him with the spirit of our ancestors, as the first people. So, me being in that building was a big moment for me,” says Reen.
GET TO KNOW: Ria Reen, #SONA2026 Imbongi. Her mother tongue is !Xuhnthali from the Khoe and San languages group🖤. pic.twitter.com/gyUr75JpFp
— Pan South African Language Board (@PanSALB) February 13, 2026
Reen says that often, people from her community are looked down upon, and they feel invisible.
“Most people think we don’t exist. When you talk about the Khoisan people, they always think about one side of the Khoi people. They don’t know about the others, but right now that I have presented the language to the world, people have been trying to reach out to know about the San people,” says Reen.
The Pan South African Language Board, a body that promotes languages in South Africa, says it’s important for citizens to express themselves in their mother tongue. PanSALB provincial manager, Boichoko Moremi, explains:
“We are promoting all languages in South Africa, whether they are official or not. We have an objective to ensure that each and every person in this country is free, must have the freedom to express their views through the languages that they are speaking. PanSALB has resolved to support mother tongue.”
Reen believes her appearance in this year’s State of the Nation Address served as a testament that the sky is the limit.
VIDEO | SONA 2026: Praise singer a provincial treasure in Platfontein
