Arts initiative boosts deaf voices at Yingisani Special School
With support from the National Arts Council of South Africa, deaf learners at Yingisani Special School expressed themselves through art.
LIMPOPO – Learners at Yingisani Special School took part in a three-day creative storytelling programme designed to help them express themselves through visual art.
The initiative was introduced by Chen Women Empowerment in partnership with the National Arts Council of South Africa.
The programme aims to empower deaf learners by giving them tools to share their stories in ways that suit their unique abilities.
During the workshop, learners were introduced to various forms of creative expression, including painting, drawing, pictorial storytelling, puppetry, music, and dramatisation.
The Herald visited the school, and the excitement was evident as learners proudly displayed their beadwork, puppet socks, face masks, and drawings.
Lesego Mokgoboki (16) created a drawing that told the story of a deaf boy who was bullied by his classmates and reported the incident to the school principal.
Asked what message she would like to share about the deaf community, Mokgoboki said she hopes to teach more people sign language, which she believes is a major barrier between the deaf and hearing communities.
“When I’m home, it’s not easy to make friends because people don’t understand sign language,” she said.
Sthembile Khumalo, Little Miss Glamorous Limpopo 2026, also visited the school and spent time drawing with the learners.
“I love visiting the school because you can see their genuine smiles. Normally, they don’t want me to leave when I go home,” she said.
Victor Phiri from Chen said the programme aims to challenge the stigma that deaf people cannot tell stories.
In the coming week, the learners will come together to showcase their visual art and present what they have learned to the rest of the school.
