EC government launches Deaf Awareness Fridays to promote South African Sign Language development

The Eastern Cape government, in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (Pansalb), has launched a new campaign called Deaf Awareness Fridays.

With September being Deaf Awareness month, the aim of this initiative is to promote the development of South African Sign Language (SASL), which is the first language of deaf people in the county. Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Cape government, department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac) MEC Fezeka Nkomonye  highlighted the importance of a focus on SASL both for the local deaf community,  but also for all residents of East London.

“As the department, we are the custodian of languages, and we are responsible for their promotion, preservation and development. Sign language, therefore, is one of our strategic policy priorities,” said Nkomonye.

“The constitution advocates for equal treatment of all languages. However, sign language is still underdeveloped and unrecorded. For many years the language has been systematically excluded across all spheres of life, even in the deaf schools. This has been caused largely by misconceptions, stereotypes, negative attitudes and ignorance.”

She added that “campaigns of this nature will significantly contribute to changing people’s distorted perceptions of deaf people and promote better  understanding of the deaf”.

Pansalb Eastern Cape manager Xolile Tshongolo said “sign language ought to be known and expressed by all”, adding that he had “urged the government to translate government documents to all languages for ease of communication and understanding”.