A deaf resident of Tzaneen says he is proud and excited as  President Cyril Ramaphosa, makes sign language official on July 19. Lucky Nukeri says the bill will now give deaf people like himself access to more government services. They will also now be included at events and forums in the community at large.

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Organisations such as the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) and the National Institute for the Deaf (NID) are also happy about the declaration. “PanSALB believes that this achievement further validates and solidifies South African sign language as a language resource for unleashing the potential of the deaf community at large,’’ says Ntombentle Huluhulu from PANSALB.

Lynette Victor of the Sign Langauge Centre at NID says that the bill will have a positive impact on the whole deaf community. “Not only will this bill promote and support deaf individuals and persons with hearing loss, but it also places great emphasis on their rights. Deaf-accessible services at hospitals, banks, police stations, and more, will now be available,” says Victor.