History was made at the 54th National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Conference in Atlanta, where an Afrikaans-speaking student—who graduated high school in 2023 with a Seal of Biliteracy in Afrikaans—opened the prestigious event. This milestone marks a significant step in recognizing Afrikaans as a valued world language within the US educational system.

Event Organizing committee member, Mr. Germán Suárez of the Georgia Education Department highlighted the growing importance of bilingualism, stating that “NABE and the US educational system encourage biliteracy in schools, universities, and the workplace.” With Afrikaans gaining popularity among students pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy, those proficient in the language are becoming increasingly sought after by colleges and universities across the United States.

As an organization committed to fostering cultural and economic connections between South Africa and the USA, SACCUSA celebrates this achievement as a testament to the growing recognition of multilingualism in global education and business. This development not only strengthens South Africa’s linguistic and cultural presence in the U.S. but also creates new academic and career opportunities for Afrikaans-speaking students.

#SACCUSA #AfrikaansInAmerica #Biliteracy #NABE2024 #CulturalDiplomacy