Sign language get thumbs up as 12th official language
The KZN Blind and Deaf Society says the passing of a bill to make sign language South Africa's twelfth official language is a victory for the deaf community.
MPs in the National Assembly gave the constitutional amendment to include South African Sign Language the thumbs up on Tuesday.
The next step is for the president to sign the bill into law.
The society's Veetha Sewkuran says it's been a long and tough journey to get to this point.
"For over the past 10 years, the KZN Blind and Deaf Society has been running the talk sign campaign and it was advocating for the acceptance of sign language on all public platforms.
"So it is indeed a huge victory that we could now say that our voices have been heard. I think it is also an exciting day for the deaf community, learners, schools and the community involved with the deaf."
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development says the recognition of SASL as a twelfth official language is an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.
