- PanSALB says in a statement that Sesotho sa Leboa is the official and inclusive name for the Northern Sotho language, covering all its varieties.
- Research and historical studies indicate that Sesotho sa Leboa accurately represents all Northern Sotho varieties and prevents any one group from dominating.
- The naming debate is about language identity, social cohesion, and ensuring all speakers feel recognised and included.
If you thought Northern Sotho was just one thing, think again. The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) stated that the official name is Sesotho sa Leboa, and it is not up for debate.
“Sesotho sa Leboa encompasses various Northern Sotho varieties including Sepedi, Sepulana, Sehanwana, Sekopa, Selobedu, Kutswe, Pai, Lobedu, and others,” the Board said. Essentially, it is the full house, the big family, the home for everyone who speaks these varieties.
The PanSALB added that “the name Sesotho sa Leboa is a more inclusive and all-encompassing term that does not exclude other varieties” and that it “contributes to the promotion of social cohesion and guards against the domination of one language variety over others.” It is a clear reminder that names matter, especially when they carry identity and pride.
Why the name matters
The PanSALB highlighted research from 1987 that asked speakers about their preferences. The results were pretty clear. “Approximately 62 percent of people speaking the language preferred it to be called Sesotho sa Leboa compared to 28 percent who preferred Sepedi,” the PanSALB said in a statement.
In 2000, the PanSALB commissioned research to tackle the naming debate directly. The conclusion was simple. Sesotho sa Leboa includes everyone and prevents one variety from hogging the spotlight. “The broad nature of this term promotes social cohesion and guards against the domination of one language variety over others,” PanSALB said.
Parliament has spoken too
Even Parliament got involved. A 2007 study by the Parliamentary Research Unit found that “the term Sesotho sa Leboa was mostly used in about nine versions of the Constitution, including the Sepedi version.” Based on that, the Unit recommended that the Constitutional Review Committee adopt Sesotho sa Leboa officially to end confusion.
The PanSALB says all of this adds up to one simple message and fairness for all speakers. “Sesotho sa Leboa is upheld as the standard reference for the language in official and educational contexts,” the Board said, making it clear that the name is here to stay. It ensures no speaker “feels excluded or disadvantaged.”
The PanSALB stated it would continue promoting unity and increasing visibility for all indigenous languages, following its constitutional mandate.
“Sesotho sa Leboa encompasses various Northern Sotho varieties including Sepedi, Sepulana, Sehanwana, Sekopa, Selobedu, Kutswe, Pai, Lobedu, and others,” says the PanSALB.
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