Language should not decide who belongs in South Africa

During Heritage Month in September, the article emphasizes that South Africa's linguistic diversity is a source of pride, but in practice, languages like English and Afrikaans dominate in education, business, and government, while indigenous languages are less valued. The Constitution recognizes 12 official languages and aims for their equality, but social hierarchies still favor certain languages, which can fuel xenophobic sentiments and suspicion towards speakers of less dominant languages. Addressing linguistic inclusion and identity is crucial for strengthening social cohesion in a multilingual country.