Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
20 July 2023 | 12:38
4 min read

Photo: Sol Plaatje University

Pretoria, South Africa- In a momentous occasion at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a groundbreaking bill officially recognising sign language as the 12th official language of the country. This watershed moment for the deaf community is set to break down barriers and pave the way for improved accessibility to essential services and opportunities.

The bill’s recognition of sign language marks a crucial step forward in providing equal opportunities and breaking down barriers between South Africans and the deaf community. Until now, deaf individuals had often been perceived solely through the lens of disability, leading to limited access to services and interpreters being seen as mere reasonable accommodations.

Claudine Storbeck, founder and director of the Wits Centre for Deaf Studies at South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand, during an interview on Radio Islam International this morning, shared her insights on the significance of this historic development. She emphasised that the recognition empowers the deaf community, as it acknowledges them as a linguistic and cultural minority group. This newfound recognition means deaf individuals will now be able to access crucial services with equal information and participate fully in society.

Basic services such as the justice system, healthcare, and social support have previously been challenging for the deaf community to access due to the lack of sign language interpretation. “The major thing now is that basic things that people access, like the justice system, popping into the police and reporting a crime, having your ID book stamped, if you have it, take a photocopy, accessing the health system, social system. Deaf people have not been able to access it with equal information,” she said.  The President’s signing of the bill ensures that these fundamental human rights will be available to deaf people, who can now confidently request and receive the assistance they deserve.

However, Storbeck also highlighted that the journey does not end with the signing of the bill. Now, the focus must shift towards planning and implementation. Government enforcement will play a pivotal role in making sign language learning mandatory for professionals in education and essential public service roles.

Storbeck emphasised the need for practical steps, stating, “Number one, government is going to have to enforce, make it mandatory, but if you want to be a teacher of the Deaf, number one, you need to qualify in the specialism of deaf education. Number two, you’re actually going to have to learn sign language before you enter a school, which is not a requirement at the moment, shockingly.”

To truly enable deaf individuals to access services, government offices, police stations, and public hospitals will require staff members proficient in sign language. Currently, South Africa boasts eleven official spoken languages, but none have been accessible to the deaf community. This new recognition signifies a commitment to change that reality.

Another crucial area that demands attention is sign language interpreting. Professionalising sign language interpretation and implementing quality assurance mechanisms are necessary to ensure deaf individuals receive accurate and reliable information in various settings.

Furthermore, supporting parents of deaf children is essential, as approximately 90% of deaf children are born into hearing families. These families will need guidance and assistance to navigate their child’s unique needs, including the potential introduction to a new culture and language.

When asked about the delay in recognition, President Ramaphosa expressed regret, acknowledging that the deaf community had waited far too long for this recognition. Nevertheless, he stressed that it is better late than never and committed to ensuring effective implementation.

The Centre for Deaf Studies at WITS also vowed to play a vital role in holding institutions accountable for timely and successful implementation. As the country enters a new chapter in its history, efforts will focus on promoting accessibility, inclusion, and equality for the Deaf community.

With sign language now officially recognised, South Africa has taken a momentous step forward in fostering a more inclusive society, where the deaf community can fully participate and contribute to the nation’s growth and progress. The President’s historic signing marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward a more equitable and accessible future for all South Africans.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat here.