Poland in South Africa

The 2026 International Mother Language Day celebrations aimed to draw the attention of South Africans to the world's linguistic diversity, the importance of indigenous languages, and the intellectual and cultural richness associated with it. Interactive activities, live music, competitions, and language workshops generated considerable interest among Johannesburg residents. Participants in the "Crash Courses" workshops were able to learn basic greetings in a number of languages, including the beauty and melodiousness of the Polish language. Many event participants encountered the Polish language for the first time. At the information stand, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland presented a number of publications about Poland, promoting, among others, outstanding figures in Polish science, art, and culture, as well as our country's magnificent natural beauty. The debate on "Language, Power, and the Struggle for Social Justice," featuring Zukiswa Pikoli, editor-in-chief of Daily Maverick, Lina Puleng Tshehla from the University of Johannesburg, and Rendani Tshitangano from the SAIIA think tank, generated considerable interest. The panel discussion focused on the relationship between mother tongue, access to education, and power structures in South Africa and globally, as well as how multilingualism can support equality and integration.

International Mother Language Day has been celebrated since 2000. It was proclaimed at the 30th session of the UNESCO General Conference. The main idea of ​​the celebration is to highlight the importance of linguistic diversity in protecting the world's cultural diversity and contributing to the sustainable development of societies.

Photos: Yaseen Khan/Goethe Institute; Grażyna Koornhof/Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria