What Language Do They Speak in South Africa?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
South Africa has 11 official languages: Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa.
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Languages of South Africa at a glance
| Official languages | Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 11 |
| Countries on this site where Zulu is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | South African |
| Capital | Pretoria |
| Internet domain | .za |
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Botswana | Tswana, English |
|---|---|
| Lesotho | Sotho, English |
| Mozambique | Portuguese |
| Namibia | Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana |
| Eswatini | Swazi, English |
| Zimbabwe | Shona, Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language |
South Africa in context
- South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², making it the 24th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 52 people per km² ranks 134th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe.
- With 63,100,945 people, South Africa holds about 71.0% of the population of Southern Africa.
- With 11 official languages, South Africa has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- South Africa is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare South Africa
Useful phrases for visitors to South Africa
Everyday Zulu phrases you will hear and use in South Africa:
| English | Zulu |
|---|---|
| Hello | Sawubona |
| Thank you | Ngiyabonga |
| Please | Ngiyacela |
| Goodbye | Hamba kahle |
| Yes | Yebo |
| No | Cha |
Everyday Afrikaans phrases you will hear and use in South Africa:
| English | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo |
| Thank you | Dankie |
| Please | Asseblief |
| Goodbye | Totsiens |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nee |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in South Africa — FAQ
What language do they speak in South Africa?
The official languages of South Africa are Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa.
How many official languages does South Africa have?
South Africa has 11 official languages: Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa.
Is Zulu spoken anywhere else?
South Africa is the only country on this site where Zulu is an official language.
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