Afrikaans: The Language Uniting Africa, Says Scholar

Professor Joseph Diescho Champions Afrikaans as Key to African Renaissance

In a stirring public lecture under the theme: The Ghosts of Settler-Colonialism Upon Us, on May 22, 2025, at the University of Mpumalanga, Namibian scholar Professor Joseph B. Diescho declared Afrikaans, a language born in South Africa, as a vital force for the continent’s future.

Speaking on the significance of South Africa, Diescho stressed that Afrikaans is the world’s youngest language with a robust lexicon capable of expressing complex scientific concepts.

“Of over 2,000 African languages, only Afrikaans carries the name ‘Africa’ in it,” he noted, underscoring its unique cultural resonance.

Diescho hailed Afrikaners as an African tribe integral to the continent’s identity, urging recognition of their role in fostering unity.

He argued that South Africa’s contributions, particularly through Afrikaans, are essential for an African Renaissance. “South Africa matters,” Diescho said, calling it a beacon of hope.