South Africans Should Learn Sign Language For Deaf People - Minister Chikunga

Minister of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga encouraged South Africans to learn South African Sign Language as part of International Month for Deaf People, noting that nation has a large deaf community, with over four million deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

This month, celebrated every September, aims to raise awareness about the rights and challenges faced by deaf people worldwide. The celebration focuses on improving understanding of the deaf community and promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Learning sign language is one way to better communicate with the deaf community. This year's theme for International Month for Deaf People is "Sign up for Sign Language Rights."

"Public activities should be focused on mainstream and advocacy for the rights of the deaf community, to foster social cohesion, and education on disability-inclusive language to eliminate any form of unfair discrimination," the minister said, SA News reported.

She stressed that South Africans should learn sign language because "it is the most effective way to communicate with and connect with deaf individuals."

Adding South African Sign Language as the 12th official language in the country, through the Eighteenth Amendment Bill to the Constitution, is a major step in protecting and promoting the linguistic rights of the deaf community.

Chikunga noted that 2024 is a significant year for South Africa as Mia Le Roux made history as the first person with a hearing impairment to be crowned Miss South Africa. This month-long celebration aims to promote inclusivity, advance Sign Language education, and deepen understanding of deaf culture.

The department also called on all parts of society to create initiatives for this month, supporting the dignity of the deaf community and driving socio-economic transformation and empowerment for people with disabilities.

Last month, Chikunga said the Public Procurement Bill gives her department a chance to push for practical solutions to address the ongoing exclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the economy.

She praised President Cyril Ramaphosa for signing the Public Procurement Bill into law, which aims to create a single, efficient, and fair system for regulating public procurement, including preferential procurement, across all government bodies.