Our 12th Official Language
The Tumultuous Path
For the past 25 years, the deaf community in South Africa has tirelessly advocated for the recognition of sign language as an official language. This process began as early as 1996, followed by unsuccessful requests to make SASL an official language in 2007, 2013, and 2015. In 2020, the announcement was made that the official recognition was finally underway. After public comment in May 2022 and public hearings in March 2023, the request was officially processed and passed in May 2023.
An official language holds legal recognition within a state. It serves as the medium for administrative purposes, facilitating day-to-day state affairs. This change to the Constitution will ensure that SASL is given the rightful status it deserves.
The new legislation aims to accomplish the following:
Foster the cultural acceptance of South African Sign Language (SASL).
Ensure that the rights of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing are fully realised, guaranteeing equal protection under the law and upholding their human dignity.
Promote inclusive and substantive equality while actively preventing and eliminating any form of unfair discrimination based on disability.
This milestone represents the first of many crucial steps towards fostering inclusivity and embracing diversity, and will undoubtedly impact numerous organisations as they adapt their inclusion strategies to better cater to the specific needs of those with disabilities.
Big Strides Towards Accessibility
Incredible initiatives are already positively impacting the lives of individuals with impairments, offering them the necessary support to carry out daily activities. The South African government has several regulations focusing on enhancing accessibility in public spaces for people with disabilities. New initiatives and government regulations strive to ensure that buildings, accommodations, and transportation are accessible to all.
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