Cape Town - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is widely spoken. - Aug 2021
None. - Apr 2021
It is always appreciated to use as much Xhosa or Afrikaans as possible (as appropriate), but in general, you can easily survive in English only, especially in the Southern Suburbs. The Northern Suburbs tend to be more Afrikaans-speaking. - Feb 2018
Everyone in Cape Town speaks English, though for many it's not the mother tongue. Local accents can sometimes take some getting used to. If you want to learn Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu or one of the other commonly used local languages, I believe local tutors are available. Because of the cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town, classes in many other widely spoken international languages are also available. - Oct 2017
English is all you really need. A little Afrikaans is useful if you want to break out of the suburban bubble. Cape Town's large mixed-race population speaks Afrikaans as its first language. - May 2014
English is all you need. - Aug 2013
English is fine for daily living. Afrikaans or isiXhosa recommended to really know the culture and the friends you will make. - Oct 2007
