FORMER justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and the president of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society, Zak Yacoob has called for sign language to be made the 12th official language.

Yacoob was commenting this week when the Talk Sign campaign was  launched in KwaZulu-Natal to popularise South African Sign Language (SASL) and to raise funds through the sale of Talk Sign stickers. The proceeds from this KZN Blind and Deaf Society project will be used to educate people who are deaf and, at a later stage, help them to find employment. Yacoob said, “It is a human right of every person who is deaf to be able to communicate – to understand others and to be understood’.  We all need to communicate with each other. Imagine how lonely it must be when you don’t understand what the people around you are saying and, no-one understands what you are trying to say?

“This is how people who are deaf feel, around those who don’t understand South African Sign Language (SASL). We need to make sign language South Africa’s 12th official language, not only for people who are deaf but for everyone’s benefit.’’Schools and corporates are encouraged to buy Talk Sign stickers for R10 each and wear them on Talk Sign Day, Friday, 14 March 2014.  “We are also encouraging people to do an activity on Talk Sign Day to show support for people who are deaf.’’ says Shamila Surjoo, director of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society

.‘’Our staff, deaf clients and sign language interpreters are available to do a twenty minute, interactive presentation at schools and businesses in the lead up to the day. During this presentation, five phrases will be taught in sign language – hello, how are you, I am fine thank you, your name please and my name is,’’ said Surjoo. Sign language alphabet cards will be distributed so that the learners and staff members can learn to sign their names using these cards.