The SA Word of the Year is a term or expression preferred to reflect the passing year in language. For the first time in history, PanSALB and its Lexicography Units have decided to endorse this practice which has been happening internationally.

Candidates for word of the year were reviewed by PanSALB and its structures and then debated their merits, choosing one that captures the philosophy, mood, or obsessions of that particular year.

All findings are based on research conducted by Focal Points and Newsclip on factual statistics found within South African media and serve as credible sources.

Using Focal Points and Newsclip, keywords were tracked for the period 1 January to 12 October 2017. This media data was analysed to determine the prominence of the keywords within the media and to identify the frequency that they were used in credible print media.

It was found that “State Capture” was used 20 231 times in over 11 000 South African newspapers. The majority of the coverage was found in daily newspapers, accounting for 68% of the total coverage mentioning “state capture” followed by Sunday newspapers at 19%.

The use of the word state capture has increased significantly in 2017. The concept of state capture has been in existence, but PanSALB has seen a spike in frequency this year in the context of the Gupta email leaks and systemic political corruption.

“We are happy with the choice as it echoes a year dominated by highly-charged political and social discourse,” says Dr Mpho Monareng, Chief Executive Officer of PanSALB.

He added that it does not look like the usage of the term will slow down in the near future, especially if one takes into account the ANC conference in December. 

The Word of the Year (state-capture) and accompanying shortlist have been selected as they reflect the social, cultural, political, economic, and technological trends and events that have been a part of 2017. The list includes words that have particular resonance in 2017.

In alphabetical order, the shortlisted words for SA Words of the Year are:

1. Blesser

2. State Capture

3. White Monopoly Capital

Statement