After tallying the results, SA's Word of the Year is revealed
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has announced the country's 2020 Word of the Year.
"Lockdown" was named the South African Word of the Year on Friday.
The language board says the category - through tracking - highlights the most common word or term used between October 2019 to September 2020 in mainstream news media and social media and it's social impact.
The word 'lockdown' took off in South Africa on 23 March when President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a National State of Disaster due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time, Ramaphosa announced a 21-day national lockdown which was activated at midnight on 26 March and which placed the country on complete lockdown.
"We can all attest to the rampage caused by the coronavirus, it is all that we have talked about as we continue to navigate through its unforgiving rage.
“Hence, in choosing this year's SA Word of the Year we have had to take the process a step further to broaden the criteria and also consider the cultural significance and influence the word has had amongst South Africans" says PanSALB Acting CEO, Mr Willie Manana.
