Activist for the deaf, Cebisile Ndebele, creates awareness for the hearing imparied

September was a commemorative month for many things.
We saw the town create awareness for childhood cancer, reading and albinism. We take it one step further and celebrate and create awareness for our deaf community.
Cebisile Ndebele, a resident of Kwa-Thema, is a teacher’s assistant at a school for the deaf as well as an activist for deaf people.
Tell the readers a little about yourself.
I was born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on March 16. My mother didn’t realise I was born deaf. A year later, my grandfather noticed that I did not hear when he called my name, so my mother took me to the audiology department for hearing tests and found that I had been deaf from birth.

Also read: Toddler faces prospect of going deaf

I have been fortunate. My family took the initiative to take sign language classes to communicate with me. I was sent to schools for deaf and auditory impaired children right up to matric.
How has your journey as a deaf person been?
Once I got to college, I was in a mixed hearing environment that didn’t have translators. I had to depend solely on lip reading when the lecturer was teaching. I also happened to struggle when looking for a job as there was a lot of hesitation with the hiring of a deaf person. People were just hesitant due to communication barriers.
I decided to study teaching and since then I have been appointed as a teaching assistant at the Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf.
I also am part of the South African Sign Language Body, which advocates for the accessibility of sign language at different levels of departments and schools.
Since working alongside the organisation, what has the experience taught you with regard to awareness for the deaf in South Africa?
I feel as though there is some form of education available but access to it is very limited. Our history, culture and struggles with education and employment are not highlighted enough. Being deaf is not just a disability, it is a culture and a lifestyle not many are familiar with. That is why the government needs to bridge the gap and educate people so more empathetic conversations can be had.

Also read: Vita Nova Centre struggles to stay afloat

What do you want to see done for people who are hearing impaired?
There should be more subtitle options on TV for the deaf. There need to be more translators at schools, clinics and other government institutions. More people should learn sign language to accommodate their loved ones and colleagues.
My dream is to see sign language being recognised as more than just a language. We are still waiting for it to be recognised as the 12th official language of South Africa. I know we have a long way to go but I have faith we will get there.

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