Emerging policy in South Africa has had a marked impact on delivery of service by speech–language
pathologists, particularly in the field of aphasia. This article describes major policy influences
in the areas of language use, health, education, disability, and the elderly, which have had an
impact on service delivery. Aphasia assessment and intervention, in particular, are profoundly
influenced by the unique sociopolitical context and opportunities are created for developing
innovative perspectives, which expand traditional frameworks and scope of practice. Relevant
practice requires awareness both of enabling policy and of the impact of issues such as poverty
and culture on assessment and intervention. The profession of speech–language pathology has
a powerful potential role in advocacy and social reform and to help develop policy, interrogate
traditional models of training, and derive research that is relevant and contributes to a global
debate