What language is spoken in South Africa?
South Africa has 11 official languages. English and Afrikaans are the most widely spoken, followed by Zulu, Xhosa, and Southern Sotho. English remains the primary language for tourism and business.
The 11 Official Languages
South Africa officially recognizes 11 languages: English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Northern Sotho, Venda, Tsonga, Ndebele and Swati. This linguistic diversity reflects the cultural richness of the rainbow nation.
Most Widely Used Languages
- English: language of business, tourism and administration. Understood everywhere in tourist areas.
- Afrikaans: spoken mainly by the Afrikaner and mixed-race community, especially in Cape Town and the provinces.
- Zulu: the country's first Bantu language, dominant in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Xhosa: spoken in the Eastern Cape, the language of Nelson Mandela.
For Travelers
English is more than sufficient for traveling in South Africa. It is spoken in all hotels, restaurants, tourist sites and transport. Tour guides speak English fluently, making communication easy with English-speaking travelers.