On 8 May 1925, Afrikaans became South Africa's second official language alongside English, replacing Dutch, which had been one of the two official languages in the then-Union of South Africa.
2025 marks the centenary of Afrikaans' elevated status. However, the language's origins trace back much further than these 100 years.
Afrikaans is a creole language with deep historical roots.
Foundation for the Empowerment Through Afrikaans Prof. Michael le Cordeur explains, In most of the southern point of Africa, East and West came together. Through their interactions, people communicating to survive, a new language emerged. That language, born in Africa for the people of Africa, became Afrikaans. In fact, Afrikaans is the only language named after a continent - Africa. Yes, our language is of Africa and for Africa.
At the Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl, the three continents that were pivotal to its origins are depicted.