POLOKWANE – Sign language will be introduced into schools as a compulsory subject to bridge the gap between the deaf and others.
This promise was made by premier Stanley Mathabatha, during the Sowetan-Capricorn FM dialogue held at Ngoako Ramatlhodi Sports Centre in Seshego last Thursday.
Nathi Mokwena, one of the Capricorn FET marketing students living with albinism was accusing the Limpopo government of ignoring people living with disabilities when it came to job opportunities.
Mokwena, a member of Disabled People South Africa, said the Limpopo government had no plans with regard to the employment of people living with dwarfism, or those who were blind. He said government human resources officers assisted those in wheelchairs, but not other disabled people.
“Disability is not sitting in a wheelchair only. There is no Braille material in the Limpopo government, so how are they going to employ a qualified blind person? Last year we had a seminar talking about the unemployment problems faced by people living with disabilities. We took our plight to the Limpopo government but they take us for granted. We don’t even qualify for internships in governmental departments because of problems emanating from the government itself,” Mokwena said.
Mathabatha said the government would introduce sign language as a compulsory subject at schools, so that there was no gap between the deaf and others.
A political analyst, Elvis Masoga, said people living with disabilities should also raise these problems on a national level, so that they could be fast tracked. He said the government should take education seriously, adding that the real cause of unemployment in South Africa should be reviewed.
