Sign language has officially been added as South Africa’s 12th official language.
A statement from the South African Government news agency, reads:
“The National Assembly approved the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill [B1 – 2023] to amend section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.”
” The amendment was to include South African Sign Language as an official language to promote the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.”
Adding to these news, Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo was quoted saying, “Primarily, the amendment seeks to advance the cultural acceptance of SASL, the deaf culture; ensure the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing to equal protection and benefit of the law and human dignity; and to promote inclusive and substantive equality and prevent or eliminate unfair discrimination on the ground of disability, as guaranteed by section 9 of the Constitution.”
Mothapo also added, “Relevant departments administering those, and related legislation should take note of this constitutional amendment recognising SASL as an official language in terms of section 6 of the Constitution and consider whether the adoption of the Bill may require consequential amendment to associated legislation for purposes of clarifying the status of SASL as expressed in the Constitution.”
Commenting on the latest constitution amendment yesterday on Metro Fm Talk, the show’s host applauded the addition of sign language as an official language, adding that, this is the right step in recognising everyone living in Mzansi equally.
She also hoped that this addition will help the country not to repeat mistakes such as the sign language interpreter used for Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
