College of Human Sciences
Unisan elected as PanSALB Deputy Chairperson
The Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages congratulates its Chair of Department, Dr Napjadi Letsoalo, for his appointment as the Deputy Chairperson of the new Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB). The Board of PanSALB held its inaugural meeting at the Constitutional Court of South Africa on 24 March 2025. The meeting was conducted under the supervision of Justice Nonkosi Zoliswa Mhlantla, who oversaw the nomination and election of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, as mandated by Section 6(1) of the PanSALB Act, as amended. The new board will be effective for a period of five years.
Pictured here with PanSALB board members are (seated, from right) Prof Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst (PanSALB Board Chairperson) and Dr Napjadi Letsoalo (PanSALB Board Deputy Chairperson)
The appointment of board members is a significant step towards ensuring good governance and leadership within the organisation. The selection process for members to the PanSALB board is rigorous, involving public nominations, interviews and scrutiny by the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture.
Letsoalo is an influential language activist and a significant contributor in promoting, protecting and preserving South African official languages in academia. His appointment reflects his dedication to language activism and his commitment to preserving South Africa's rich linguistic heritage.
Letsoalo's appointment comes at a crucial time, when the board is actively working to uphold its constitutional mandate to support underrepresented languages, including the Khoi, Nama and San languages, as well as languages of religious and community significance. With his extensive expertise in language, Letsoalo is expected to contribute significantly to the board's mission of creating a linguistically unified, yet diverse, South African society
PanSALB is responsible for nurturing and protecting the country's official languages and, as an organisation, it plays a crucial role in fostering multilingualism and cultural inclusivity.
* By Neliswa Mzimba, Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Publish date: 2025-04-09 00:00:00.0
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