Wits Centre for Deaf Studies empowers deaf youth through film production training
Deaf filmmakers are taking charge of their narratives. Wits University's groundbreaking internship has equipped 15 deaf interns with the skills to bring their stories to life and reshape the film industry by promoting deaf representation.
Fifteen deaf interns have successfully graduated from the Wits Centre for Deaf Studies’ pioneering film production internship, a six-month programme designed to equip them with essential skills in cinematography, editing, storytelling, and production management.
The initiative not only introduces them to the technical aspects of filmmaking but also empowers them to tell their own stories, capturing the richness of deaf culture and identity through film.
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The programme culminated in a special film showcase on March 29, where the interns’ creative works were displayed, proving their talent and growth as visual storytellers. The festival held particular significance following the recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the country’s 12th official language in 2023.
By promoting SASL and deaf cultural heritage, the event inspired future generations of deaf artists and filmmakers, while strengthening the visibility of the deaf community in South Africa.
Project lead Nenio Mbazima, a video producer at the Centre for Deaf Studies, reflected on the journey, admitting that he initially had doubts. “When we started the project, I wasn’t an experienced facilitator or teacher. I just knew filmmaking. In the first week, I thought the project might fail. But the interns were fast learners, and today, I am extremely proud to see them graduate. They worked incredibly hard, and now I truly want more deaf people to learn filmmaking, so they can tell their own stories.
“Historically, hearing people have always told stories about deaf people. That needs to change. There has to be deaf-on-deaf storytelling.”
This was the first internship of its kind, created in response to the lack of opportunities for deaf filmmakers in South Africa. Despite challenges in securing funding for deaf-led film projects, the Centre for Deaf Studies remains committed to ensuring that deaf individuals have the resources and platforms to share their narratives. The programme was made possible through collaboration with Wits Innovation, which supports education and showcases in TV and film.
The programme also received support from Wits TV, ensuring that the internship complemented existing initiatives rather than competing with them.
The success of this initiative has laid the foundation for future projects aimed at increasing the representation of deaf filmmakers in South Africa, ensuring that their voices, and stories, are heard and celebrated.
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