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SASL Star: Emily Matabane

22 September 2021 | Story Michelle Nöthling | Photo Supplied

“I love teaching hearing people Sign Language,” Emily immediately mentions when asked about herself, “so that they can communicate with Deaf people and work with them.” Part of her passion, though, was borne from personal hardship. Emily had a difficult experience when she entered the work environment in 2000, since she was the only Deaf person among an all-hearing staff. Can one even begin to imagine the frustration and isolation she must have experienced? It is no wonder, then, that her vision is for Deaf people to have equal access to information, and for the hearing and Deaf to be able to communicate with each other more freely. And the latter she is pursuing with all her energy.

“When I started working as a Teaching Assistant in the UFS Department of South African Sign Language (SASL) and Deaf Studies,” Emily recalls, “few students were interested in studying Sign Language, because they were not aware of Deaf people and Sign Language.” This has started to change, though, as Emily is noticing a drastic increase in the number of UFS students enrolling for SASL. “I am now familiar with a lot of hearing student who have done Sign Language at our university, and they are very friendly when I meet them. Also, because they are able to greet me in Sign Language!” It is important to note that the department teaches SASL modules to both Deaf and hearing students (and staff) who want to learn the language – which is now also available as an online option.

As a second-year student studying BEd, Emily has formed a close relationship with CUADS (Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support) at the UFS. “CUADS is doing a great job in assisting students with disabilities and catering for their needs. They assist students to have access to education on the same level as other students without disabilities.”

Sign Language is of vital importance to the Deaf community, since it is the language of accessibility for Deaf people. “We are proud and acknowledge Sign Language as a medium of communication,” says Emily. “It allows us to express ourselves, and to teach and transfer our Deaf culture from one generation to the other.”

Ultimately, Emily is hopeful that Sign Language will become embraced, celebrated, and recognised as equal to the other official languages in South Africa.

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus welcomes new Head

2013-04-17

Prof Prakash Naidoo
Photo:Thabo Kessah
17 April 2013

Welcoming video

The Qwaqwa Campus welcomed its new Head in the person of Prof Prakash Naidoo. Prof Naidoo, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Finance (Resources and Planning) at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), received a very warm welcome from the staff, students and the Eastern Free State community.

In response to his welcoming, Prof Naidoo thanked among others, his predecessor, Dr Elias Malete, for his leadership of the campus, as well as the Head: Operations, Teboho Manchu and the Head: Academic, Dr Elsa Crause, for their support during his first few days on campus.

“I am elated to be joining an institution that is serious about transformation. There is still a lot of work ahead to make this campus the best,” said Prof Naidoo.

“Positive vibrancy exists here and all of us must begin to think about how we can multiply the effect to make it even better.”

“This year the campus is celebrating its tenth year in existence as part of the University of the Free State and we have accomplished much in this time. However, there is still a lot to accomplish in the next 10 years. We need progressive change. Let us all look ahead, but let us never forget the past.”

“Today’s students live with greater complexities, like watching too much TV and reading less. They need more counselling and guidance. In my book, students come first. Academic business comes first.”

Prof Naidoo expressed his optimism in working with all internal and external stakeholders.

“I am a team player and we must all develop a working plan for this campus,” Prof Naidoo said.

The welcoming was attended by members of the Council and the Rectorate.

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