September – Deaf Awareness Month
Our department celebrates September as the International Month for Deaf People by hosting various outreaches and fun activities.
On 3 September 2026, we had the wonderful privilege of welcoming learners from Bartimea to the University of the Free State as part of our Deaf Awareness programme. It was a truly memorable day filled with learning, exploration, teamwork, laughter and, of course, plenty of soccer! The purpose of the day was not only to create awareness around Deafness and inclusion, but also to expose young Deaf learners to the many opportunities available to them and to encourage them to dream about their futures.
Our day began with a warm welcome from the Director of Student Recruitment Services, who welcomed the learners to the UFS campus. We then visited VR Med, where the learners were introduced to CPR and emergency medical care. They were given the opportunity to participate in an exciting challenge that included performing CPR, dribbling a soccer ball, carrying a heavy emergency bag similar to those used by paramedics, and learning how to safely assist a patient into an ambulance. The activities encouraged teamwork, confidence, physical coordination and problem-solving, while allowing the learners to experience what it is like to work in emergency medical services.
From there, we visited Kovsie Health and Wellness, where the learners explored emotions and discussed different ways of understanding and managing their feelings. They also participated in a fun colour therapy activity, which provided a creative way of expressing themselves and exploring their emotions.
Our next stop was Geology, where the learners were introduced to the fascinating world of rocks. They had the opportunity to learn about different types of rocks and explore the science behind them.
At the Academy of Multilingualism, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch generously sponsored by McDonald's. The visit also included fun and interactive games, creating another opportunity for the learners to communicate, participate and enjoy themselves in an inclusive environment.
The day continued at the Genetics Building, where our young visitors had the opportunity to become scientists for the day. Through hands-on activities and exploration, they were able to experience science in a fun and exciting way and see that the world of science is open to them too.
A particularly important part of the day was ensuring that communication was accessible throughout the programme. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who sponsored and supported the provision of South African Sign Language interpreters for the day. Your contribution ensured that our Deaf learners could participate fully, understand each activity, ask questions, communicate with facilitators and, most importantly, feel included.
In between each of our activities, the learners had an opportunity to play soccer, interact with one another and simply have fun. These informal moments were just as valuable, allowing the learners to build friendships, develop confidence and enjoy the university environment.
Days such as these are about so much more than a single event. They provide young Deaf learners with opportunities to explore new environments, develop their confidence, discover their interests and see themselves as future students, scientists, healthcare professionals, leaders and changemakers.
By creating accessible and inclusive spaces, we can help young Deaf minds recognise that their possibilities are limitless. Every experience, every new skill and every opportunity to participate contributes to building confidence and opening doors for the future.
We would like to sincerely thank all the departments, staff members, facilitators, sponsors, interpreters and everyone who contributed to making this day such a success. Thank you for helping us create a day where learning was accessible, inclusion was visible and, most importantly, where our young Deaf learners could learn, explore, laugh and dream BIG.
Together, we can create opportunities, break down barriers and empower the next generation of Deaf leaders.
Annual Philippolis Multilingual Public Speaking Competition
The Annual Philippolis Multilingual Public Speaking Competition is the first of its kind in South Africa. The competition aims to encourage multilingualism in communities while at the same time instilling pride in the participants and their language(s). It was first held in 2013 as part of the MIDP project, but in 2015 became the joint project of the ULFE and UFS Community Engagement Division. This project continued when the ULFE and the department amalgamated.
Schools from the surrounding areas of Philippolis are invited to participate. The theme of the competition usually centres on heritage and culture. Participants speak on their chosen topic in their mother tongues, which includes SASL, Sesotho, Setswana, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans.
We are proud of this flagship project, and of the enthusiastic participation from participating schools.
Early literacy for Deaf children and their parents
Our early literacy project for Deaf children and their parents on the South Campus continues to have a profound impact on foundational learning and language development.
Signals Student Association
Our student association, Signals, works closely with our staff to raise SASL awareness both on campus and in the wider community, championing a truly inclusive environment.
Adam Kok Language Route
The MIDP V project was concluded successfully at the end of 2013 with the launch of the Adam Kok II Route at Philippolis, only one of several highlights of the project. Adam Kok II was one of the best-known Griqua captains. The route entails a tour on foot through the historically important town Philippolis (situated in the Southern Free State), and was developed around important places of interest, which can be linked to the historical presence of the Griquas in the area. The Griqua nation developed from the merging of a number of roaming Khoi tribes, Free Burghers from the Cape and runaway slaves and soldiers from the Dutch East Indian Company.
After the discovery of diamonds in the Kimberley area during the 1860s, the Griqua people were relocated from Griqua Town, where they had been united by the British missionaries, to Philippolis. (In fact, the town is named after Dr John Philip from the London Missionary Society, a missionary that is well-known in South Africa.)
Sights of interest along the Adam Kok II Route include, amongst others, the current Dutch Reformed church, Chief Adam Kok’s council chamber and house, his kraal and the Griqua canons, a later gift from the British rulers.
The route got national media coverage in 2014, amongst others in the travel magazine Weg / Go and on Pasella, an Afrikaans TV journal programme.
The Adam Kok II Route was established at Philippolis in order to provide work to three local Griqua tour guides, as well as to highlight the historic Griqua presence in the town.
The guides received training and they were used for the launch. To date, they have acted as guides for a number of tourist events.