Bible translation remains the Bible Society of South Africa's core task as we work to ensure that all South Africans have access to the Bible in their preferred language.

 

The Bible Society is currently undertaking the following translation projects:

 

!Xun Bible translation

Approximately 4 000 San who speak !Xun live in Platfontein, near Kimberley in the Northern Cape. This group is primarily from Angola but they have lived in South Africa for more than 20 years. Furthermore, about 10 000 to 15 000 speakers of this language are still living in Angola and Namibia.

The group in Platfontein has a school, a church and a radio station, but not a Bible. Scripture reading is done from the Luchazi Bible (a language of Angola) and Afrikaans. The children, however, no longer understand Luchazi.

After thorough research, in co-operation with the Bible Societies of Namibia and Botswana, as well as other Bible translation agencies that operate in the areas where the San live, a decision was made that the Bible Society of South Africa would undertake the translation of the Bible into !Xun.

A translation team comprised of three members and a Review Committee of approximately 20 members started the translation in 2018. The three translators have already done separate draft translations (phases 1 and 2) of Genesis to Revelation. The Review Committee has reviewed Genesis to Numbers (phase 3).

 

Khwedam Bible translation

The South African government has also expressed a need to develop languages in the country, especially indigenous ones. Khwedam, spoken by some of the people in the Northern Cape, is one of these languages.

This translation will not only serve the people in the Northern Cape - much like our !Xun translation that started in 2018 - but also those further afield in Botswana and Namibia. After discussions with various Bible Societies and other Bible translation agencies, a decision was made that the Bible Society of South Africa would undertake the translation of the Bible into Khwedam.

This project was started in 2019 and the translators have already done draft translations (phases 1 and 2) of Genesis to Psalms. The Review Committee has reviewed Genesis 26-30 (phase 3).

 

Khelobedu Bible translation

There are some 500 000 people, living in parts of Limpopo, who speak Khelobedu and, currently, no printed Bible Portions are available in this language.

This project started in October 2021 and the six translators have already done draft translations of Matthew 1 to 7. The goal is to finalise the translation of the complete Bible by 2030.

 

TjiHlanganu Bible translation

TjiHlanganu is spoken in Mpumalanga. and, currently, no printed Bible Portions are available in this language.

This project started in October 2021 and the translation of Genesis 1 and John has been completed. The aim is to finalise the translation of the complete Bible by 2030.

 

How can you help?

Every R100 received will contribute towards Bible translation projects this year.


Make a difference. Be a sower of hope.