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01 September 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin
As in previous years, the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies (SASL) – a pioneering force within deaf studies – will embark on a broader campaign to create much-needed awareness of the deaf. 

This year’s #UFSDeafAwarenesscampaign aims to inform and contribute to an inclusive society, not only among the UFS community, but also among the public. The department, together with the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support, provides exceptional support to the 16 deaf and hard of hearing students at the UFS. 

Jani de Lange, Lecturer in Deaf Studies at the UFS, says the deaf forms part of the diverse South African community – “however, there are still many misconceptions about the deaf world. Therefore, deaf awareness plays an important role in facilitating a bridge between hearing and deaf people”.  

Awareness, duty, and social responsibility collide 

Many of the staff in the department considers themselves part of the deaf community. “They play a major role in educating others through our academic programmes, as well as continuous workshops and short learning programmes,” says De Lange. She continues, saying that by celebrating Deaf Awareness Month, “we are reminded of our role and responsibility towards the deaf.” 

The department also has a long-standing relationship with Mimosa Mall in Bloemfontein, with conversational students displaying their final group projects in the centre of the shopping mall.  Mimosa is also a partner in school-based projects, such as the Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind in Thaba Nchu. “Every year, the department, together with our student association, Signals, and all interested Sign Language students, visits Bartimea, where we host a variety of activities with the children and also help the school with small maintenance projects. In 2019 – the last time we were able to visit the school – we repainted parts of the Foundation Phase’s playground,” De Lange says.

“We hope that the public will take the time to read about deafness, Sign Language, and the deaf community to understand the exciting traditions of the culture.”  The end goal is to encourage a greater understanding that ‘you do not need hearing to listen’. 

Getting the community involved 

To get people involved in the campaign, the department invites UFS staff to participate in a competition where they can learn how to introduce themselves in SASL. The department is also planning an informal training session for staff and students on 7 September 2021. 


The Department of SASL and Deaf Studies also presents a FREE Introduction to SASL short learning programme. 

→  Click here for more information 


 #UFSDeafAwarenessMonth #DeafAwareness #DeafCommunity

                     


News Archive

Inaugural lecture celebrates Qwaqwa founder, Morena Mopeli Mokhachane
2014-09-12

 

Photo: RooistoelTV

Every historical era presents its own challenges and creates its own leaders who take up the call to address those challenges.

This was expressed by Dr Nyefolo Malete who presented the Inaugural Memorial Lecture on 6 September 2014 at the Qwaqwa Campus. The lecture honoured the live of the Qwaqwa founder, Morena Paulus Mopeli Mokhachane.

Dr Malete said that Morena Mopeli played his part in history as a skilled negotiator, formidable team player and a liberator who held good human relations in high regard.

“Morena Mopeli lived at the time when Southern Africa was experiencing a moment of frustration and despair. It was faced with conflicts, battles, starvation and turmoil in preparation for a transformation that was to serve as the mirror of the political and social stage which existed until 1994,” Dr Malete said.

“He was a hopeful leader and thinker who played a critical role in assisting his brother Moshoeshoe to build and protect Lesotho where it was humanly possible. He participated in most of the negotiations with all the groups to create peace and protect the borders of Lesotho. He was a good, intelligent and formidable diplomat who was aware of his role as a leader. He was aware that he could influence the future through dialogue.”

Dr Malete said that Africa needs leaders like Mopeli. Leaders who can expand the capacity to remain open to possibilities and “envision a positive future in the face of uncertainty and to creatively construct pathways that can be embraced by all people who collectively seek to turn possibilities into reality.”

In attendance at the lecture were dignitaries from the Lesotho Royal House, the Free State Provincial Government and the Free State House of Traditional Leaders. 

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