This paper argues that in the context of demand for translation in South African languages, there is need to develop a professionalized infrastructure of language services in African languages. The paper investigates the role of training in the development of such an infrastructure and argues the necessity to develop training models that match the distinctive configuration of skills required by African language translators and interpreters in South African context. Finally, the article presents the initial results of a pilot training project, which has aimed to develop such training models by drawing on the concrete experience of African language translators and interpreters.