Joburg youth embrace International Mother Language Day

The 21st February is International Mother Language Day, to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as multilingualism.

International Mother Language Day has been celebrated since 2000, after UNESCO declared it on 17 November 1999.

South Africa has 12 official languages, including Sign Language. Most people find it difficult to learn and understand other languages, while others are fluent and multilingual.

As the world celebrates International Mother Language Day, young people in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, who came from different provinces, say they are proud of their language and are also eager to learn other languages.

As the world celebrates International Mother Language Day ,young people in Auckland Park say they love their languages, but they are eager to learn other languages.#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/7uDPCox5Iz

— Sbusiso Maphumulo (@IamsbusisoM) February 21, 2026

Sibongiseni Khumalo who speaks isiZulu, says he struggles to learn other languages.

“I speak isiZulu, and I’m proud of it because anyone can easily learn this language. Since I’m new in Gauteng, I find it difficult to learn other languages, but I’m eager to learn. They can speak my language, but I cannot speak theirs,” says Khumalo.

Tshivenda-speaking students from the University of Johannesburg, who come from Limpopo, say they love their language because it is unique.

“I like Tshivenda because it’s unique, and here in Johannesburg, I can socialise easily. I’m proud of it because it’s the only language that comes from one province, which is Limpopo, unlike other languages. For example, isiZulu is spoken in different provinces, such as KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.”