A silent walk to celebrate the 12th official language
This was the seventh walk of its kind and it saw people talk to the streets of Emmarentia to raise awareness for deaf month.
The seventh annual #silentwalk&run was recently held at Marks Parks Sports Club.
This event was in collaboration with City of Johannesburg, Neema Foundation, African Bank and other stakeholders as a way to recognise deaf awareness month which falls annually in September. On the day, the deaf, from the city’s many communities, silently walked 5km through the streets of Emmarentia as a way to bring awareness to the disability.
The deaf-and-hard-of-hearing community use Deaf Awareness Month to celebrate South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language. This silent walk was part of activities aimed at commemorating International Week of Deaf People, which falls on September 15 to 25 this year.
Cebisile Ndebele, chairperson of the Neema Foundation for the Deaf, says SASL, now being an official language is a monumental victory for the deaf community that will ensure their rights to equality, dignity and social inclusion are not only recognised but implemented.
“As we celebrate, we must realise that the battle for equality, dignity and social inclusion for Deaf people is far from over. It will only be won when there is quality education. It will further require increased employment where SASL interpreters will be available at all public places, such as police stations, hospitals, clinics, banks, and courts,” said Ndebele.
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