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The Inkatha Freedom Party supports a call that Sign Language should be made an official language.

During the Debate on IFP Motion on Sign Language today in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL, IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature said “The IFP urges the KZN Legislature to be the front-runner in promoting the teaching of sign language at our schools. We must take the lead and demonstrate that we care for all of our citizens.

This Legislature must begin without delay to implement the training of key personnel and us as Members of this Legislature. Those of us who are able to hear and speak must be the ones who will break the chains that impede our fellow citizens who live in a soundless and isolated world due to no fault of theirs. It is up to us to speak out for them. We, as Members of this Legislature, are the ones who have the power to draft legislation. We must use those powers that have been entrusted to us to open the doors of communication,”

“We are of the view that no member of the public should be at a disadvantage as a result of a physical impediment that hinders communication. In the event of a tragedy, a deaf person’s life could be saved if rescue workers could understand basic sign language. It is for this reason, among many others, that we feel that basic sign language tuition must be given to all state employees, emergency services personnel and community representatives who interact with the community at large,” he continued.

“Furthermore, the IFP is overjoyed on hearing recently that Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee was preparing to present its findings to the National Assembly that SA Sign Language be recognised as the country’s 12th official language. The IFP fully supports this and urges the National Assembly not to delay with regard to this piece legislation.

We must be able to go out on oversight visits and community engagement sessions confident in the knowledge that we will be able to communicate with every citizen in our province and that they will understand us. No citizen must feel that they will not be able to communicate with us. No citizen must feel disadvantaged just because they cannot speak or cannot hear. No citizen must feel that as Members of this Legislature we engage with communities just to tick the box while we do not understand their concerns. No citizen must feel isolated just because they have an impediment,” concluded Mr Gwala.

Issued by IFP