Minister Gayton McKenzie called on Afrikaans speakers to embrace their language without hesitation. He delivered the message at the Afrikaans centenary celebration hosted by his department at the War Museum in Bloemfontein on 9 May 2026.

McKenzie told media and festival-goers that Afrikaans belongs to all who speak it. He stressed that no one should feel ashamed of using it as a first language.

McKenzie Encourages Unapologetic Use of Afrikaans

Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, spoke directly to those who belittle Afrikaans. “There are people in this country who belittle and humiliate Afrikaans,” he said. “Afrikaans is the language of our ancestors. Afrikaans is not a brown language or a white language. It is an African continental language.”

He added a simple message for critics: “It’s very easy, just don’t speak it, it’s okay, we’ll speak it.” McKenzie described Afrikaans as equally important as English, Zulu, Sotho and Xhosa. He urged people never to feel ashamed of claiming it as their mother tongue.

The minister acknowledged the language’s history.

“Sometimes beautiful and sometimes painful,”

he said.

“I believe we cannot truly celebrate this language without telling the full truth about it.”

His remarks formed the keynote of the Afrikaans centenary celebration.

Marking 100 Years of Official Recognition

The event continued celebrations that began after Afrikaans gained official status alongside English on 8 May 1925. The Official Languages of the Union Act replaced Dutch with Afrikaans at that time.

Organisers moved the 2026 festival to Bloemfontein’s War Museum after the Language Museum in Paarl could not host it the previous year because of bad weather. The department hosted the programme at the minister’s request.

Khoi and Griqua Voices at the Festival

Representatives from Khoi and Griqua communities attended and expressed pride in Afrikaans. Nicolett Katz, 51, headwoman of the Katz Korana royal house in Bloemfontein, said her council holds meetings in Afrikaans and traces its entire heritage through the language. “Our ancestors were the Khoi, the Griquas and the San,” she noted. “Today is a privilege to stand here as a Katz Korana.”

Angelene Botha, head lady of the Yzerbeck Korana royal house, also from Bloemfontein, linked the celebrations to her ancestors’ history. She explained that her people once had to give up Afrikaans but have now adopted it fully. “Afrikaans must live on among their descendants,” Botha said.

Cultural Performances and Historical Discussion

The day featured music, dance and poetry that kept the crowd engaged. Performers included Nádine, Logan Pietersen, the King Junior Group, Sasso Vlet and MP. The Free State Greek Council and King Junior Group presented dance numbers, while Bibi Slippers delivered a poetry reading.

Dr Francois Smith, head of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at the University of the Free State, led a discussion on the historical background of the language. Attendees from young to old joined in the entertainment.