South African Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SASLHA)

The South African Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SASLHA) represents speech-language therapists and audiologists in South Africa. In 2026 SASLHA marks 80 years of advancing the two professions.

Registered name

South African Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SASLHA)

Type

Professional association (speech-language therapy and audiology)

Fields funded

Third- and fourth-year speech-language therapy and audiology

Website

saslha.co.za

Email

admin@saslha.co.za

From the Logopaedic Society to SASLHA

In 1946 a group of visionaries founded the South African Logopaedic Society, convinced that every person deserves access to communication. The society became the Speech and Hearing Association and eventually SASLHA, each name reflecting a deeper understanding that speech, language and hearing are interconnected.

SASLHA says it has shaped professional identity, championed ethical practice and evidence-based care, and advocated for communication as a human right for all South Africans. SASLHA’s vision includes communication support that reaches every corner of the country and honours all official languages.

What speech therapists and audiologists do

Speech-language therapists help people with communication and swallowing difficulties, from children with language delays and stutters to adults recovering from strokes. Audiologists diagnose and manage hearing and balance disorders, fit hearing aids and run hearing screening programmes. Both professions are scarce skills in South Africa’s health system, particularly in rural areas and in languages other than English.

Support for students

SASLHA offers free membership to undergraduate students and to community service officers during their compulsory community service year. Student members gain professional development, networking, mentoring and a Student Peer Support Group, and can distribute their research surveys to members for free. SASLHA also runs events such as its Paediatric Neuro Symposium.

The Myrtle L Aron Bursary

Each year SASLHA awards a bursary through the Myrtle L Aron Bursary Fund to a third- or fourth-year speech-language therapy or audiology student who has successfully completed second or third year at any South African university offering these courses. SASLHA awards it on academic merit and financial need, and free SASLHA membership is required.

Sanele Khoza, an audiology student at UCT, described the bursary as more than financial support, saying it affirmed that she was on the right path. The 2026 bursary closed on 16 February 2026, so expect the next call early in 2027.

How to research SASLHA

Join SASLHA as a student member now so you are ready when the call opens, and join the peer support group. Ask lecturers about SASLHA’s advocacy work, such as its task team on letterboard communication.

See our speech and hearing therapy bursaries and audiology bursaries.