Key Takeaways
- The 2025 South African Word of the Year for social media is "valid"
- The 2025 South African Word of the Year is "G20"
- The South African Sign Language Sign of the Year is the sign for "I love you"
- The G20 presidency was a significant event in South Africa in 2025
- The country’s diplomatic ties with Washington have strengthened since the G20 summit
Introduction to the Survey
The Pan South African Language Board and media research company Focal Points recently released the results of their annual survey, which aims to identify the most significant words and terms that shaped the country’s discourse in 2025. The survey is an important tool for understanding the cultural, social, and political landscape of South Africa, and provides valuable insights into the issues that mattered most to its citizens. This year’s results are particularly interesting, as they reflect the country’s growing influence on the global stage, as well as its ongoing struggles with social and economic challenges.
The Word of the Year
The 2025 South African Word of the Year for social media was awarded to "valid", a term that was chosen from a shortlist of popular words and phrases that included "hao khonahale", "nonchalant", "clock it", "nodolozana", and "ama1k". The selection of "valid" as the Word of the Year for social media reflects the importance of online discourse in shaping public opinion and influencing cultural trends. The Pan South African Language Board’s decision to recognize "valid" as the top word for social media suggests that the term has become a significant part of the country’s online vocabulary, and is likely to continue to be used in a variety of contexts.
The G20 Presidency
In contrast, the 2025 South African Word of the Year was awarded to "G20", a term that reflects the country’s growing influence on the global stage. South Africa’s year-long presidency of the G20 culminated in a successful leaders’ summit in November, which was widely praised for its achievements. The adoption of the Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration on the first day of the meeting was a significant milestone, and marked a major achievement for the country’s diplomatic efforts. Despite the United States’ boycott of the summit, South Africa’s diplomatic ties with Washington have continued to strengthen, reflecting the country’s growing importance as a global player.
Social and Cultural Trends
The South African Sign Language Sign of the Year is the sign for "I love you", which was chosen from a shortlist of signs that included "so lekker", "magnificent", and "constitution". The selection of this sign reflects the importance of promoting inclusivity and diversity in South African culture, and highlights the need to recognize and celebrate the country’s rich linguistic heritage. The sign for "I love you" is a powerful symbol of affection and solidarity, and its recognition as the Sign of the Year is a significant step towards promoting greater understanding and acceptance of South African Sign Language.
Conclusion and Implications
The results of the survey provide a fascinating insight into the cultural, social, and political landscape of South Africa in 2025. The selection of "valid" as the Word of the Year for social media, "G20" as the Word of the Year, and the sign for "I love you" as the Sign of the Year reflect the country’s growing influence on the global stage, as well as its ongoing struggles with social and economic challenges. As South Africa continues to navigate its place in the world, it is likely that these trends will continue to shape the country’s discourse and inform its cultural and linguistic identity. By recognizing and celebrating these trends, the Pan South African Language Board and Focal Points are helping to promote a greater understanding of the country’s complex and multifaceted culture, and are providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in the study of language and culture.
