In this edition of the language corner, we begin a month-long focus on Siswati which is one of South Africa’s eleven official languages.

A Niger-Congo language and a Bantu member of the Benue-Congo group of languages (Nguni subgroup), spoken by some 2 million people chiefly in Swaziland, where it is an official language, as well as in South Africa and Mozambique.

The closest linguistic affiliation is with Zulu; also known as Swati, Swazi, Tekela, or Tekeza. Lukhona speaks to  Siswati Researcher at the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources, Muzi Matfunjwa on this edition of the language corner. 

In this edition of the language corner, we begin a month-long focus on Siswati which is one of South Africa&rsquo;s eleven official languages.
A Niger-Congo language and a Bantu member of the Benue-Congo group of languages (Nguni subgroup), spoken by some 2 million people chiefly in Swaziland, where it is an official language, as well as in South Africa and Mozambique.
The closest linguistic affiliation is with Zulu; also known as Swati, Swazi, Tekela, or Tekeza. Lukhona speaks to&nbsp; Siswati Researcher at the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources, Muzi Matfunjwa on this edition of the language corner.&nbsp;

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show that delves deeper into the news of the day, along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. The host also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show that delves deeper into the news of the day, along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. The host also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

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Language Corner: Siswati

Today, we are joined in the studio by a key architect of South Africa’s economic future: Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi. As we navigate the complexities of 2026, our economy stands at a critical crossroads. On one hand, we are looking outward, eyeing the massive potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mondli Makhanya spoke to Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Today, we are joined in the studio by a key architect of South Africa&rsquo;s economic future: Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi. As we navigate the complexities of 2026, our economy stands at a critical crossroads. On one hand, we are looking outward, eyeing the massive potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mondli Makhanya spoke to Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Building South Africa’s "Fortress Economy": Protecting Local Industry While Policing the Frontiers of Global Trade

Following the submission of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Final Report to President Nelson Mandela in 2003, a significant mandate was established for legal accountability. The Commission referred several hundred cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation and criminal prosecution. These specific matters involved severe human rights atrocities—ranging from murder and torture to enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions—where the perpetrators had either failed to receive amnesty or had only been granted partial amnesty by the TRC's Amnesty Committee. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Yasmin Sooka South African Human Rights Lawyer, Activist and former TRC Commissioner.

Following the submission of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission&rsquo;s (TRC) Final Report to President Nelson Mandela in 2003, a significant mandate was established for legal accountability. The Commission referred several hundred cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation and criminal prosecution. These specific matters involved severe human rights atrocities&mdash;ranging from murder and torture to enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions&mdash;where the perpetrators had either failed to receive amnesty or had only been granted partial amnesty by the TRC's Amnesty Committee. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Yasmin Sooka South African Human Rights Lawyer, Activist and former TRC Commissioner.

NPA's backlog of unresolved TRC cases and the Human Rights Impact

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has introduced the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PIE) from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, a legislative move specifically aimed at safeguarding South Africans who depend on rental income. Speaking in Pretoria following the bill's release for public comment on April 16, Simelane highlighted that the amendment is designed to validate and support small-scale landlords, particularly those operating in townships and informal settlements where leasing backyard rooms or informal dwellings is often a vital means of survival. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Paul Masemola Department of Human Settlement Chief Director: Legal Services.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has introduced the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PIE) from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, a legislative move specifically aimed at safeguarding South Africans who depend on rental income. Speaking in Pretoria following the bill's release for public comment on April 16, Simelane highlighted that the amendment is designed to validate and support small-scale landlords, particularly those operating in townships and informal settlements where leasing backyard rooms or informal dwellings is often a vital means of survival. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Paul Masemola Department of Human Settlement Chief Director: Legal Services.

Language Corner: Siswati

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