Making sign language the 12th official language of South Africa, government aims to advance the rights of citizens living with disabilities by ensuring that their rights to equality, dignity and social inclusion are recognised.
Addressing the signing ceremony of the South African Sign Language (SASL) Bill, President Cyril Ramaphosa said it also affirms the humanity of people who communicate with sign language. “Having sign language recognised as an official language will address access to education, economic and other social opportunities as well as public participation. People with hearing impairments will be able to also access more services, public information and a host of other opportunities, "the President said.
The signing of the Bill into law follows an intensive and extensive public consultation process. A substantial number of submissions were made and considered carefully to ensure that all issues were appropriately ventilated.
On 2 May 2023, Parliament voted unanimously for the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill that amends Section 6 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.
“Our Constitution enjoins on the State to take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of the indigenous languages of the South African people.
It further notes that all official languages must enjoy parity of esteem and must be treated equitably. “We are also giving effect to the provision of the Bill of Rights that prohibits unfair discrimination on grounds such as disability, culture, race and gender.
South African Sign Language has served as an essential communication tool for our citizens living with disabilities, and this step will further empower the community,” the President said.
He acknowledged that the official recognition is just the beginning, as much more work still needs to be done to support the language.
“It has to be standardised to collapse various geographic provided with qualified personnel.
“It is also crucial that there are sign language interpreters to enable access to services for people who cannot hear properly. “For many years, lack of sign language interpreters at the courts, police stations, hospitals, clinics and many service centers or points has been compromising access to justice for victims of violence, including victims of gender-based violence and many other crimes,” the President said.
Policies with fully resourced implementation plans are required to realise the constitutional ideal of multilingualism. Dr Bruno Dragone described the signing of the SASL Bill into law as a historic moment for deaf and hard of hearing people.
"The signing of the South African sign into law today is going to change the deaf people's lives. We hope our government will welcome them in court,into the schools and universities. Do not be afraid to communicate with deaf people, "dragone said.
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