‘Dire shortage’ of sign language interpreters in KZN
The Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal says there's a dire shortage of sign language interpreters in the province.
MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza's calling for sign language to be added to the syllabus in schools and universities.
MPs earlier this month gave the thumbs up in the National Assembly for sign language to be recognised as the country's 12th official language.
The Sign Language Bill is now with the Presidency's legal team.
Speaking at a celebration for the deaf community in Chatsworth at the weekend, Khoza applauded the move, saying it will create more opportunities for the deaf.
"With it taken as an official language, we do have hope that this will open doors for them to be able to get into employment. So we believe that even out even our police stations need sign language. We need to ensure that we take it as our responsibility that we do a follow-up."
