Welcome to the February issue of Mbalo Brief, our first issue for 2026. February is widely recognised as the month of love, but it is also a time to celebrate something equally powerful, our languages. On 17 November 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day (IMLD). The day promotes linguistic diversity, multilingualism and the preservation of mother languages around the world. In a country as diverse as South Africa, IMLD carries a significant meaning. Our Constitution recognises 12 official languages, namely: English, Xitsonga, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho siSwati, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, Tshivenda and, most recently, South African Sign Language (SASL). This means that all these languages are equal and can be used in education and public life, government communication and for accessing services. While some languages may be more widely spoken or commonly used in certain spaces, it does not mean the other languages are inferior. It is important to treat all languages with respect and embrace the linguistic diversity that exists in our workplaces, schools and communities to avoid being tribalistic and foster a culture of unity that extends beyond IMLD.
This month’s feature article is based on the Cultural Dynamics in South Africa (Report No: 03-01-84), published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on 05 March 2025. Also, don’t miss our monthly crossword puzzle and the November 2025 solutions. Articles in this issue draw on the results of industry surveys conducted for November and December 2025.

Download Mbalo Brief – February 2026