The City of Cape Town joined the world in celebrating International Translation Day with a powerful demonstration of how language can build trust, unity and opportunity. This year’s theme, “Indigenous Language Translation: Shaping a Future You Can Trust,” set the tone for a vibrant dialogue and celebration hosted at the Civic Centre in partnership with the Pan South African Languages Board (PanSALB).
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis opened the event via video message, reaffirming the City’s commitment to making services available in English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans. “Multilingualism strengthens communities. It’s about dignity and access for everyone,” he said.
Key language practitioners from government, associations and universities shared best practices, challenges and innovations in translation. Alderman Theresa Uys, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, noted that Cape Town has proudly signed a pledge to promote and support multilingualism since 2022. “We embrace our partnership with PanSALB and are proud to host International Translation Day for the third time. Together, we champion multilingualism as a national resource and an official conduit for spreading communication,” she said.
PanSALB board chairperson Professor Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst spoke on the role of technology in translation, highlighting that while digital tools are useful, human translators remain irreplaceable in preserving nuance, empathy and cultural context. Dr Carol Van Wyk, speaking on behalf of MEC Ricardo Mackenzie, called translators “the unseen peacemakers” of democracy, ensuring messages are translated with respect, trust and unity.
Lance Schultz, Chief Executive Officer of PanSALB, underscored the organisation’s mandate to safeguard linguistic rights: “In an era of rapid change, translators are the guardians of truth. They don’t just convert words, they connect nations and foster peace. Translation unlocks knowledge for millions.”
Throughout the event, speakers stressed that multilingualism and translation services are not optional extras but essential to equality, democracy and service delivery — from courts and education to local government. Non-compliance with language rights, they noted, fuels inequality, unemployment and exclusion.
The City showcased how it is putting these principles into practice by offering interpreting at public meetings and disciplinary hearings, sign language interpreting when needed, responding to residents in their language of choice, publishing notices and advertisements in the relevant languages, and ensuring signage and directions appear in English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans.
By honouring International Translation Day with PanSALB and local partners, Cape Town demonstrated how multilingualism strengthens democracy, improves access to services, and creates a more inclusive, respectful city for all residents.
