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22 September 2021 | Story Michelle Nöthling | Photo Supplied
Peet Jacobs.
Peet Jacobs is no stranger to the Deaf community in and around the UFS and Bloemfontein. He has been working at the University of the Free State (UFS) for the past six years, and he is still amazed at the amount of support our institution provides to Deaf students in particular, and to South African Sign Language (SASL) in general. “They provide excellent interpreting services,” Peet says, “not only in face-to-face classes, but also on different online platforms, as well as interpreting pre-recorded lectures and videos.” And as a SASL interpreter, Peet is an integral part of this service. 

But signing is not merely a day job for Peet. He carries his skill into the community in his spare time, where he assists as an interpreter at hospitals, doctors’ rooms, and psychiatrists’ offices – to name but a few. What gives Peet the deepest satisfaction, however, is when he can combine his love of Sign Language with his love of the Bible and his God. It was actually Peet’s devotion to his religion that inspired him to learn Sign Language in order to enable him to carry the Word of God into the Deaf community. Peet now also presents Bible courses in SASL and assists a non-profit organisation to produce SASL Bible-based publications, which are translated and recorded in video format. 

Peet aspires to become an authority on SASL subject-specific vocabulary related to subject in higher education. “Sign Language is a language in its own right,” Peet points out. “The uniqueness of Deaf culture and the variety of dialects within SASL give the language diversity and colour.” Peet goes on to emphasise how important it is that SASL is recognised as an official language in our country. “This recognition will give dignity to a group of people who have been marginalised in South Africa. This will also pave the way to providing more inclusivity and service to the Deaf community.”

Until then, Peet will continue to serve the best way he knows how: through signing.

News Archive

Autumn graduation a huge success
2012-04-04

 

Proud academics celebrate their child's achievement.
Salomé Naudé received her B.Med.Sc-degree. Her parents are Prof. Jacobus Naudé and Prof. Cynthia Miller-Naudé. (Senior Professors from the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
2 April 2012


The University of the Free State (UFS) hosted its autumn graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus last week where the most diplomas, certificates and degrees were awarded at eight different ceremonies in the Callie Human Centre.
A total of 629 diplomas and certificates and 2856 degrees were awarded from Tuesday 27 March 2012 to Friday 30 March 2012.

“Use your degree to improve the lives of people. Do justice,” Prof. Jonathan Jansen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, encouraged the graduates.

“People know it as a university that chooses restoration over revenge and forgiveness over vengeance.”
Mr. Roland Rudd, a Kovsie alumnus, told students that their blood, sweat and tears had paid off.

Mr. Rudd is a former education student who recently was named the Best Secondary Teacher in the Western Cape.
A highlight of the autumn graduation was when Natalie Jordaan received a standing ovation during the ceremony for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. She is the first Deaf student in the history of the university to receive her degree. Natalie’s first language is Sign Language.
Marina Viljoen, a recipient of one of the university’s 12 Dean’s Medals, also received nine awards at the Faculty of Law’s prize giving ceremony. She was awarded the degree LL.B. (summa cum laude).
Johané Nienkemper (B.Sc. Hons.) received the Senate’s Medal and Prize as the best honours student at the UFS, as well as the Dean’s Medal as the best honours student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Potella Sibongile, a Xhosa imbongi (praise singer) and UFS student received his degree in B.Com.Financial Administration. Potella delivered a praise poem to the graduates before they received their degrees, saying they “will now receive a new birth certificate”.

Master’s degrees and doctorates will be conferred at the Bloemfontein Campus on Thursday 14 June 2012.

The graduation ceremony of the Qwaqwa Campus will take place on 12 May 2012. Diplomas/certificates, degrees and doctorates will be awarded during the ceremony.
 

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