The last surviving native speakers of the endangered Nluu and Yakunte languages are leading efforts to save them from extinction.
In South Africa, 92-year-old Katrina Ouma Esau is the only fluent speaker of Nluu, a language once widely spoken by the San people. After being nearly wiped out by colonialism and apartheid, Nǀuu saw a revival in the 1990s, but Katrina is now its sole guardian. Determined to keep it alive, Katrina teaches children in her community and has co-authored a Nluu children’s book.
In Kenya, the Yakunte language of the Yaaku community faces a similar fate. Centennial Stephen Leriman and his brother are the last fluent speakers of the language. Leriman’s grandson, Julian Lorisho, has taken on the challenge of passing the language on to younger generations, teaching about 300 students.
Both languages are among the 523 African languages classified by UNESCO as critically endangered. Experts warn that losing them means losing cultural identity and history. Despite the challenges, dedicated efforts continue to preserve these indigenous languages and the rich traditions they represent.