Despite complaints from some Xitsonga speakers that the decision to change the spelling of the language’s text on banknotes is incorrect, the South African Reserve Bank stands by its decision.
The Pan South African Language Board, which the bank described as the “statutory authority on [language]matters” and which had approved the spelling on the 100 Rand banknote, was cited by the bank.
The text on the new note, which replaces the old currency’s text of Banginkulu, reads Bangikulu instead of the “n”.
The change has been met with opposition from some language users who claim it is incorrect and that they were not consulted before it was made.
Local media, however, cites the governor of the reserve bank as saying that the new note was error-free.
The new spelling, according to Lesetja Kganyago, “corrects an earlier error.”
The Xitsonga word for “Reserve Bank” is bangikulu. The language board clarified that the disputed “n” is only ever used to refer to a person, never an object or an organization.
In 2019, there were 3.3 million Tsonga people living in South Africa, according to Statistics South Africa.
On May 4, the new note and four other denominations were introduced.
Each of South Africa’s 11 official languages is represented in the five denominations in an effort by the Reserve Bank to promote inclusivity, with English serving as a connecting factor.
