South Africa is publishing new books in indigenous languages — including the first ever in Khoi and San — as part of a government-backed initiative to make sure no community’s voice is lost. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), working with the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association of South Africa (ANFASA), has rolled out the Publishing Hub to produce stories in all 11 official languages, braille, and historically neglected indigenous tongues. This is not just about producing literature; it is about protecting cultures, restoring dignity, and ensuring young people have access to their heritage in the languages of their ancestors.
Since its launch, the Publishing Hub has already delivered 57 works, marking an important shift in South Africa’s literary landscape. Among them are groundbreaking first-ever books in Khwedam, !Xunthali, and Nama, all Khoi and San languages. These publications represent milestones in the preservation of cultures that have too often been erased or overlooked in mainstream storytelling.
The impact of the project stretches beyond the printed page. Its first cycle alone generated over 314,000 digital impressions, a clear sign that South Africans are eager to consume and celebrate stories in their own languages. It is proof that there is a real appetite for local content that speaks to identity, belonging, and history.
The initiative is also unique in how it supports creators. Authors, translators, and publishers benefit from assistance across the entire production process — from concept development and editing to design, accessibility, and distribution. Books are converted into braille and audiobooks, ensuring that access is not limited to a few but extended to those who are blind, visually impaired, or unable to engage with traditional print formats. This holistic approach not only produces books but also creates jobs for language experts and community voices who bring authenticity to the texts.
Minister Gayton McKenzie described the effort as a “race against time,” underscoring the urgency of capturing and preserving languages that are under threat. Without intervention, these voices risk disappearing as elders pass on and younger generations lose the opportunity to learn their mother tongues.
The Publishing Hub is also a social justice project. It deliberately prioritises the inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities — groups often left out of mainstream publishing. By making space for their voices and perspectives, the initiative directly challenges centuries of exclusion in the literary economy.
Children’s books play an especially vital role in this work, planting the seeds of language and identity in the next generation. When children see themselves reflected in the characters, places, and languages of the books they read, they grow up with pride in their cultural roots and a deeper sense of belonging.
This national effort is more than a publishing programme; it is a cultural revival. It aims to repair the damage caused by decades of linguistic suppression, to celebrate South Africa’s multilingual identity, and to make literature a tool of unity and pride. The success of the project shows that language preservation is not only possible but welcomed by the public.
For a society still healing from its past, initiatives like this demonstrate what inclusion looks like in practice. By telling stories in every South African language, the country is sending a powerful message: all voices matter, and no story should be forgotten.
