In 2026, SASLHA Marks 80 Years of Advancing Speech-Language Therapy and Audiology in South Africa
In 1946, a group of visionaries founded the South African Logopaedic Society with a bold conviction: that every person, regardless of circumstance, deserves access to the transformative power of communication. This courageous act of professional faith planted seeds that would grow across eight decades.
What began as the Logopaedic Society evolved into the Speech and Hearing Association, and eventually into SASLHA—each name reflecting a deepening understanding that speech, language, and hearing are interconnected threads woven throughout human life.
For eight decades, we have been architects of possibility.
We have shaped professional identity, championed ethical practice, and insisted that evidence must guide clinical care. But perhaps most importantly, we have been tireless advocates, affirming that communication is not a privilege for the few, but a fundamental human right for all South Africans.
This is the legacy we will celebrate in 2026.
It is a legacy built by generations of clinicians who chose compassion over convenience, educators who saw potential where others saw obstacles, researchers who pursued difficult questions, and leaders who dared to imagine what could be.
As we stand at this milestone, we look back with gratitude—honouring every professional who has carried our mission forward and every life touched by our work. But we also look forward with determination and hope.
The next chapter is being written now. It will unfold in the innovations we embrace, the barriers we break down, the communities we serve, and the young professionals we inspire. We envision a South Africa where communication support reaches every corner of our diverse nation, where all eleven official languages are honoured in practice, and where no one is left voiceless.
For 80 years, SASLHA has proven that when dedicated professionals unite around a shared mission, extraordinary things become possible. As we celebrate this milestone, we renew our commitment: to continue advocating with conviction, innovating with creativity, and collaborating with generous spirit—all in service of communication and hearing health for every South African.
Because our work is about something profoundly simple: ensuring that every person can express who they are, connect with those they love, and participate fully in the life of their community.