South Africa has 11 official languages, languages that help South Africans communicate and languages that unite South Africans. Despite nearly a quarter of a million South Africans, like myself, using South African Sign Language (SASL) as a “first spoken language”, it is inconceivable that SASL is still not recognised as an official language in our country. 

In 2018, it was confirmed that South African sign language (SASL) would be officially recognized as a home language in the education system. It would also be an examinable subject for the National Senior Certificate. Earlier in the year 2021, the minister of sports, arts and culture Nathi Mthethwa explained the constitutional review committee had recommended that a section of the Constitution be amended to include South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official South African language. The minister explained that the plans have been put into place and that the charter was drafted and was with the Pan South African language board, the board was at the time workshopping it to stakeholders. 

At this juncture many of us who are hearing impaired are in the dark on how far the SASL charter is. It is critical that there is a general understanding that the longer it takes for sign language to be made an official language society cannot communicate with those of us who are hearing impaired. We are excluded from society and cannot participate adequately as part of society.  I myself struggle emotionally with the exclusion I experience due to a language barrier that can be fixed within my own country. I know I am not the only one struggling with the pain of being excluded in a country that preaches democracy, rights and inclusion. 

Whilst the census of 2011 stats qualify sign language under the small languages category. We are still people and we want to be understood and have the ability to communicate fairly. It must be clear that the numbers will have grown from 2011 and we need to stop sidelining those who are hearing impaired.