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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

UFS Alumni honours four former Kovsies

2008-04-11

The University of the Free State (UFS) will honour four old Kovsies during the Kovsie Alumni Gala Awards dinner on Friday, 16 May 2008.

UFS Alumni chose Juan Smith as the 2007 Kovsie Alumnus of the Year. Dr Sherylle Calder, Dr Derick Coetzee and Prof. André Claassen will each receive the Kovsie Cum Laude Award. This award is made to honour UFS alumni for exceptional achievements and contributions to the UFS.

Juan Smith, member of the victorious World Cup Springbok team and captain of the 2007 Vodacom Free State Cheetahs Currie Cup winners, will receive the 2007 Kovsie Alumnus of the Year award. This award is made to a Kovsie alumnus for outstanding performance on national or international level. Smith made his Springbok debut in 2003 and has received much praise for his contribution to the side since then.

Dr Sherylle Calder and Dr Derick Coetzee will both receive the Kovsie Alumni Cum Laude Award. Both have played a key role in the preparation and conditioning of the Springbok team. Dr Calder has also been highly successful as part of the coaching unit for the English rugby team that won the World Cup in 2003, and the coaching team for the Australian cricket side. She is a pioneer in the field of visual awareness. Dr Coetzee has been the fitness conditioning expert for the Springbok team for the past four years. The success of the team in the World Cup is a testament to his achievements.

Prof. André Claassen will also be honoured with a Cum Laude Award for his contribution in the advancement of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. He has many personal achievements in his discipline and has received several national and international awards, including one for the first cochlear implants in the Free State. The Cum Laude Award is given to an alumnus for outstanding service or achievement on local, national or international level in his/her field or discipline.

The Gala Awards dinner is a public event and will take place in the Reitz Hall of the Centenary Complex on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Microsoft is co-sponsor of the event. Those who are interested in attending can contact Ms Annanda Calitz at 051 401 3382 or alumni@fus.ac.za.

For information regarding the Kovsie Alumni Annual General Meeting, please contact Ms Annanda Calitz 051 401 3382 or Mr Lucas Radebe at 051 401 3751.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454

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