SEDIBENG.- As Deaf Awareness Month draws to a close, South Africa finds itself at a critical juncture in the recognition and development of South African Sign Language (SASL), a language that, like Afrikaans before it, is emerging from the margins to claim its rightful place in the nation’s linguistic and cultural landscape.

This moment demands not only celebration but political reflection, on the custodians of SASL, its historical trajectory, and the ideological commitments required to ensure its flourishing.

SASL is not merely a tool for communication,; it is a language of resistance, identity, and cultural affirmation. For decades, Deaf South Africans have used SASL to navigate a society that often rendered them invisible. Much like Afrikaans, which evolved from a creole spoken by marginalized communities into a formalized language with institutional power,, SASL is undergoing a similar transformation, from informal use in Deaf schools and communities to formal recognition in education, media, and law.

The comparison to Afrikaans is politically potent.

Afrikaans was once dismissed as “kitchen Dutch,” yet through sustained political will and cultural mobilization, it became one of South Africa’s official languages. SASL, too, has faced linguistic prejudice and systemic neglect. But its recent constitutional recognition as South Africa’s 12th official language marks a watershed moment. This recognition is not a gift, it is the result of decades of Deaf activism, legal advocacy, and cultural assertion.

The custodianship of SASL is a contested and evolving terrain. Historically, Deaf communities themselves have been the primary custodians, developing the language organically through lived experience, storytelling, and education. Deaf educators, interpreters, and cultural leaders have preserved and expanded SASL despite limited institutional support.

However, with formal recognition comes the risk of bureaucratic capture. Government departments, academic institutions, and language boards now seek to standardize and regulate SASL. While standardization is necessary for educational and legal purposes, it must not come at the expense of community ownership. The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), tasked with promoting and protecting all official languages, plays a central role in SASL’s development. Yet its effectiveness depends on meaningful collaboration with Deaf-led organizations such as the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA), DeafSA, and grassroots Deaf schools and cultural networks.

SASL’s history is deeply intertwined with South Africa’s broader struggles for justice and inclusion. During apartheid, Deaf education was segregated, and SASL was suppressed in favor of oralist methods that prioritized speech over sign. Deaf children were often punished for using SASL, and the language was excluded from curricula and public life.

Despite this repression, Deaf communities nurtured SASL in informal spaces such as churches, homes, and community gatherings. The post-apartheid era brought new possibilities. The 1996 Constitution affirmed the rights of persons with disabilities, and advocacy for SASL gained momentum. In 2023, after years of lobbying, SASL was officially recognized as an official language, a victory that reflects both the resilience of the Deaf community and the evolving political consciousness around linguistic justice.

As we conclude Deaf Awareness Month, the political task is clear:, SASL must be developed not as a token of inclusion but as a living, dynamic language rooted in Deaf culture. This requires investment in Deaf education that uses SASL as the language of instruction. Training and accreditation of SASL interpreters to ensure access to justice, healthcare, and public services.
Protection of regional dialects and cultural expressions within SASL, resisting homogenization. Leadership by Deaf people in all decisions affecting SASL’s development.

The story of Afrikaans teaches us that language development is never neutral, it is shaped by power, ideology, and struggle. SASL’s journey is no different. As South Africa embraces SASL, it must do so with humility, solidarity, and a commitment to linguistic equity.

Let Deaf Awareness Month not be a fleeting campaign, but a catalyst for structural change. SASL is not just a language, it is a political demand for visibility, dignity, and belonging.