Discover Southern Africa
Food, names, proverbs, music and everyday life from the people who speak the languages. Read a story, join the conversation, then learn the words behind it.
In South Africa it is Xitsonga. In southern Mozambique many say Xichangana. Census data shows how big this cross-border language really is.
Read story: Xitsonga and Xichangana: A Language That Crosses the LimpopoLumela, dumela, dumelang, thobela. Three languages, one family, and a 1950s plan to merge them that never happened.
Read story: Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi: How Close Are the Sotho-Tswana Languages?In 2006 Lesotho swapped a shield, spear and knobkerrie for a Basotho hat. The reason says a lot about how the country sees itself.
Read story: Why Lesotho’s Flag Has a Mokorotlo Hat in the MiddleHappy Independence Day, Botswana. On 30 September 1966 Bechuanaland became Botswana, named after the Batswana, with a currency named after rain.
Read story: Happy Independence Day, Botswana: 30 September and the Setswana Spoken on Both Sides of the Border
