CELEBRATING LOVE, TRUST, AND RESILIENCE IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY

By Cuma Pantshwa

• Deaf Awareness Month 2024, themed “Love and Trust,” seeks to break down barriers faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community in South Africa. The Department of Social Development (DSD) highlights the resilience and achievements of this community while advocating for greater awareness and understanding.
• The recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language in 2023 marks a significant step towards upholding the rights and dignity of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. This legislative change aims to promote substantive equality and social inclusion for the approximately 4 million Deaf people in South Africa.
• Throughout September, the National Month for Deaf People, DSD will host advocacy sessions across all nine provinces to encourage South Africans to engage, learn, and promote the use of sign language, fostering a more inclusive society for all.

Deaf Awareness Month 2024, themed “Love and Trust,” aims to promote understanding and break down barriers faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community in South Africa. This year, the Department of Social Development (DSD) seeks to shine a spotlight on the resilience and achievements of the Deaf community, highlighting not only the challenges they face but also their remarkable accomplishments.

“The purpose of this awareness month is to promote and increase awareness on Deaf issues, enhance understanding among us, and strengthen mechanisms to reduce barriers experienced by persons with hearing impairments,” explained Ms Manthipi Molamu, Chief Director of Services to Persons with Disabilities at DSD.

While it is important to celebrate the Deaf community, this awareness month also serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that connects us all. It is a call for everyone to come together—not just to celebrate, but to uplift and empower. Ms Molamu added, “The aim is to ensure that hearing people understand deafness and the culture of the Deaf community. This awareness month encompasses not only those who use sign language as a communication medium but also those who often constitute a significant portion of the Deaf population.” She emphasised the importance of being “Deaf Aware,” stating that increased awareness can make a significant difference and help remove barriers that impact the well-being of the Deaf community.

On 19 July 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the South African Sign Language Bill into law. Earlier, on 2 May 2023, the National Assembly approved the amendment of Section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to include South African Sign Language (SASL) as an official language. This recognition is a crucial step toward realising the rights of Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in South Africa, a country with about 4 million Deaf people, 600,000 of whom are SASL users, according to Census 2022.

By making sign language the 12th official language, the government aims to advance the rights of citizens living with disabilities by ensuring their rights to substantive equality, dignity, and social inclusion are recognised.

“For the Deaf and their families, being Deaf is not just a condition; it deeply impacts their lives and their ability to navigate a society built by and for hearing individuals. Let us come together as a community, as allies, as friends, and as fellow humans to spread love, build trust, and celebrate the richness of Deaf culture,” said Molamu. She continued by saying, “True understanding begins with an open heart and a willingness to listen. When we embrace the diversity within the Deaf community, we ensure that everyone, regardless of their preferred mode of communication, feels seen, valued, and empowered.”

September is celebrated as the National Month of Deaf People in South Africa and the International Month for Deaf People, commemorating the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf, which took place in September 1951. This month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the work still needed to ensure full inclusion for Deaf individuals worldwide.

Organisations such as the Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) and the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA) play a crucial role in promoting awareness of the rights of Deaf persons in South Africa. They work tirelessly to advocate for greater recognition and understanding of the Deaf community’s needs and contributions.

Throughout the month of September, DSD will host a series of advocacy sessions across all nine provinces, providing opportunities for South Africans to engage, learn, and promote sign language as a means of communication. These sessions aim to bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

In closing, Molamu said, “We must honour the resilience of the Deaf community, amplify their voices, and stand in solidarity with them as we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. Together, we can help create a society that truly values diversity and promotes inclusion for all, especially for those in the Deaf community.”

By embracing the theme of “Love and Trust,” South Africa can move closer to a society where everyone, regardless of their hearing ability, feels valued, included, and empowered.