Tshwao is an endangered language spoken by fewer than 20 people in Zimbabwe, all over 60 years of age. A slightly larger group of 100 have passive or partial knowledge of the language. It is the only Khoisan language in Zimbabwe, where "Koisan" is an officially recognized language in the constitution. Tshwao belongs to the Tshwa (Tsoa-Kua) cluster of East Kalahari Khoe languages. It is very similar to the varieties of Ganade noted by Westphal and Traill. Although mentioned by scholars for several decades, documentation of the language only began in 2012.