Members of the deaf community protested outside the Efata School For The Blind And Deaf after one of the hostel caretakers allegedly used the derogatory word “domi” (stupid in Afrikaans) when referring to deaf people.
In a letter written to the Dispatch, a teacher at the school, Mbiyo Tshangela, said even though the caretaker was shouting the slur at someone else, the term was offensive to the entire deaf community.
“This woman is trusted to look after deaf children, how can she be so insensitive and use such a word knowing very well the negative connotations are associated with it? That means she is not fit to work in an environment with deaf people. That utterance proves she holds a lot of hate for us and our disability,” said Tshangela.
She said they had reported the matter to the principal and the SA National Deaf Association. “We would like the school to take steps and [the caretaker] must be removed and not be allowed to work with deaf people again, especially children.”
Another teacher, Phumeza Fihlani, said she was still shocked and decided to join the protest to educate other people who may not know that “domi” was an offensive word and bordered on hate speech.
“We are misunderstood in society as it is, we get called a lot of names, we get laughed at and stared at.
“We assume the school is the one place where we are understood and where we can be free so it is quite hurtful to have a staff member act like this,” said Fihlani.
The chair of Deaf SA in Mthatha, Sindiso Damoyi, said using the slur was the same as calling someone a ka***r.
“We live in a free SA. That means everyone has a right to not be called by such ugly words. We also have that right as deaf people. We wish the school would take speedy action on this but we will be engaging with the principal and other stakeholders.
“We apologise to the person who had to endure that abuse,” said Damoyi.
The caretaker could not be reached for comment.
School principal Yolanda Mtwa said she was aware of the allegations against the caretaker but said the matter was under investigation and would not be able to comment further.
“As a school we do not condone this kind of action and we are investigating.
“This is the first time we have ever had such a case,” said Mtwa...