Learn South African Sign Language and help break barriers!

South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation because it is home to people from diverse cultures, races and religions. We pride ourselves for having united people with deep political differences to build an inclusive society that works for everyone, regardless of their background or race. This cultural diversity is reflected in the country’s 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language (SASL), which was formally recognised in 2023. Each language carries its own history and identity. Although all official languages enjoy equal legal status, more needs to be done to promote SASL not only as a language for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons but as a language for all South Africans. It must be used widely enough, like any other spoken language in the country. As citizens, we need to understand that sign language is central to the equality and dignity of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. A simple greeting, a thank you, or a conversation in South African Sign Language (SASL) can demonstrate respect and help create more inclusive spaces. Citizens can also take practical steps to learn the basics of SASL by making use of resources already available, including the Department of Basic Education’s SASL Learning Space on Thutong and the South African Sign Language Bilingual Dictionary, which is available as a mobile application. By making these resources part of our everyday lives, we can strengthen communication, break down barriers and contribute to a society in which Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can participate fully. For many deaf South Africans, going to the hospital, a school meeting, looking for a job, reporting a crime or even ordering food can be a challenge, especially when people around them do not know sign language. It is hard to imagine living in a world where something as basic as communication is denied to you. This is the reality that confronts many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. We cannot claim to be a truly inclusive society while barriers remain to accessing services, education, employment, healthcare and information in languages that Deaf people understand and use, as provided for in the Constitution. As we observe Deaf Awareness Month, government is encouraged by the progress we have made to improve the lives of Deaf people, even though more still needs to be done to ensure that they fully participate in our society.  The month provides us with an opportunity to highlight challenges faced by deaf people, while working together to address them. Since the signing of South African Sign Language into law in 2023, government departments have sought to ensure greater inclusion through the use of sign language interpreters. Furthermore, the Pan South African Language Board regularly trains frontline workers in the three spheres of government on the basics of SASL so that they can interact with the Deaf community more effectively and make public services more inclusive and accessible. Efforts at greater inclusion are further supported by the bilingual South African Sign Language (SASL) Dictionary, which provides standardised SASL lexical terminology and is available as a smartphone app. The bilingual SASL Dictionary was developed by the National Institute for the Deaf in 2022 and has over 3 000 signs and 2 500 English words. All these initiatives are in line with the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which serves as South Africa's national policy framework for mainstreaming disability equity, protecting human rights and eliminating systemic exclusion. The White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides a plan to promote equal participation of people with disabilities and advocates for them to have access to education, healthcare, employment and justice in appropriate languages and communication methods. This includes the teaching and learning of South African Sign Language and the training of teachers and other professionals in sign language. Being a Rainbow Nation is more than about embracing diversity; it involves ensuring that no one is left behind.  We call on all South Africans to make an effort to learn sign language so that all citizens can feel truly at home and valued in our nation. *Nene is Acting Deputy Director General at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)