The Khwe Language Advocacy Group was founded during a community-driven workshop held on 10–11 April 2025 in Platfontein. Born from a shared commitment to protect our linguistic heritage, this group was created to document, preserve, and revitalise the endangered Khwe language—especially for use in education and community development.
With fewer than 20,000 speakers globally—and less than half of those in South Africa—Khwe is at serious risk of being lost. Platfontein is home to the largest community of Khwe speakers in the country, and we aim to make it the central hub for language preservation and support efforts in South Africa.
ABOUT US
The Khwe Language Advocacy Group (ǂ’Óm) is a community-led initiative based in Platfontein, South Africa. Formed in April 2025, we are committed to preserving, promoting, and revitalising the endangered Khwe language.
With Platfontein home to the largest Khwe-speaking community in the country, our group serves as a central voice—working with organisations like PanSALB, the CPA, and the Department of Basic Education to develop resources, support education, and protect our linguistic heritage.
We bring together elders, youth, educators, and cultural leaders to ensure that Khwe remains a living language for generations to come.
OUR MISSION
Palms for Life Fund is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing social and economic justice through community-driven initiatives. In Platfontein, they partner with San Community Development to strengthen early childhood education, create youth training opportunities, and support cultural and language development projects for the Khwe community.
African Tongue is a professional linguistic consultancy that collaborates with contemporary speakers of Ju, Tuu and Khoe languages in southern Africa to produce creative and educational resources in the mother tongue. They have built long-standing working relationships with Platfontein residents since 2010 and continue to provide technical support in efforts relating to language maintenance, documentation and preservation.
The San Vision Foundation is a dynamic non-profit organization committed to advancing the rights, education, and socio-economic development of the San communities in Southern Africa. The Foundation is particularly focused on advocating for the inclusion of indigenous peoples in global conversations and policies, addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities, and creating opportunities for self-determination. Through a combination of advocacy, education, health initiatives, and community-driven development, the Foundation works to empower the San people, with a special focus on youth and future generations.
