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Renata van Reenen: ‘Being Deaf is my identity and culture’

23 September 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Rulanzen Martin

Renata van Reenen, a master’s student at the University of the Free State (UFS), recalls how a school talk in 1998 by Deaf activist Johan Gouws instilled in her a kind of ‘duty’ to become a champion for Deaf people. Van Reenen, who in 1987 became the first Deaf child in South Africa to receive a cochlear implant, says it was at this talk that she realised that, as a Deaf person, she has her own language, identity, and culture – and that she is not “a person with a disability”.

Van Reenen is currently a language facilitator in the UFS Department of South African Sign Language (SASL) and Deaf Studies, and she believes that Deaf students should be empowered to embrace their attributes. Her interests include exploring different sign languages around the world, Deaf issues, and how Deaf children are supported in schools for the Deaf. “One of my hobbies is to put my creative ideas on paper, and I would like to develop and record these stories in SASL so they can be accessible to Deaf schools as resource materials,” she says. “These materials would then also be accessible when teaching the subject South African Sign Language as a Home Language.”

Van Reenen, who worked as an assistant teacher at a school for the Deaf for seven years, is passionate about SASL and the lived experiences of the Deaf. We asked her to share some views on empowering the Deaf and SASL:

Why is it important to empower Deaf students?

When I was 17, I had no Deaf identity. I did not understand sign language and how it was used – when the Deaf person gave a speech at the school, it changed my life. I realised that I am a Deaf person with my own language, identity, and culture, and that I am not a person with a disability. I strongly believe that Deaf students need to be empowered to fully embrace their identity, language, and culture, and through this expectance show the world who we are. My favourite motto I always share with my Deaf learners is: “Believe in yourself, show them what you can do.” I also encourage them to continuously teach Hearing students the beautiful language, as the famous Deaf quote states: “Sign language is the noblest gift God has given to Deaf people.” George Veditz, the former president of the National Association of the Deaf of the United States, said, “As long as we have Deaf people on Earth, we will have signs.” He protected our language at a time (the early 20th century) when the world strongly believed that Deaf people had to learn through oralism and had to learn spoken language in order to function as a “normal person” alongside hearing people.

As a Deaf person, do you believe the UFS community is doing enough to accommodate you, and how do you feel about being part of the Department of SASL and Deaf Studies?

When I received a link for a workshop I had to attend, I was so overwhelmed when I saw the interpreter on the video link, and knew that it would be extremely helpful for me during my research. The UFS Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support made sure I have full access to any workshops the university provides. It is amazing that my supervisor can also sign. That made me feel at home, being in a Deaf world without communication barriers. The department is an amazing team that supports and encourages me during my studies.

What will you be doing in honour of Deaf Awareness Month?

The SASL Department and I, along with Deaf Studies, have organised a “Signing Space” event in September to bring Deaf and Hearing students together to socialise with each other. This event will give Hearing students the opportunity to learn about the Deaf world. During this event I will give a small presentation such as “Poetry in SASL” that will show that Deaf people have their own literature, and that it forms part of their language, SASL. We will not only focus on presentations but also on fun activities, such as games that are prominent within the Deaf community.

Why did you decide to pursue your MA at the UFS?

During the coronavirus pandemic I applied to the University of Gallaudet in Washington, DC to study for a Master of Education in Sign Language degree. Gallaudet is the world's only university in which all programmes and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. I was accepted to study further and to ultimately become a teacher or lecturer. My aim was to train Deaf adults to qualify in different areas of SASL, ranging from SASL Linguistics, SASL Pedagogy, SASL Media Production, and so forth. In an ideal world these could be offered as short courses through some tertiary institutions which already offer SASL on undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Unfortunately, I did not have enough support, but I did not let it stop my dream. I decided to change my university of choice and applied at the University of the Free State. I am pursuing my MA degree and continuing my studies as a Deaf person. The University of the Free State is providing and recognising SASL. This is a positive step, as South African Sign Language will soon be the twelfth official language of South Africa.

News Archive

Top matriculants for Kovsies

2014-01-24

From left are: Saneliswe Khambule, Lungile Mkhungo, Jannie de Wet, Anje Venter, Siqiniseko Buthelezi and Abrille Beukes.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

Hailing from top schools in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Naushad Mayat, Lungile Mkhungo and Siqiniseko Buthelezi share 20 distinctions between them. Leaving the province of the Zulu Kingdom for Bloemfontein, all three are at Kovsies to study as doctors.

Naushad obtained eight distinctions, an achievement that placed him in the top ten matriculants in KwaZulu-Natal. The former learner from Glenwood High School in Durban came fourth in the Umlazi District and tenth overall in the province. Enrolling for a degree in Medicine, he will join the list of outstanding health professionals Kovsies produce every year.

Lungile, who matriculated from Kingsway High School, attained seven distinctions and her average percentage was 90%. She received distinctions in English – 90%, IsiZulu – 94%, Mathematics – 83%, History – 92%, Physics – 89%, Life Sciences – 89% and Life Orientation – 93%. Lungile is not only clever, but also performed well in sports at her school, participating in netball, soccer and athletics. This future doctor is a proud resident of Wag-'n-Bietjie residence.

Siqiniseko made history at his school, Maritzburg College, becoming the first black Head Prefect at the 150-year-old school, the oldest boys' high school in KZN and one of the oldest schools in South Africa. A gifted learner excelling in sport, culture and academics, Siqiniseko obtained five distinctions (English, Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Accounting and Life Sciences). His sporting prowess has seen him captaining Maritzburg College's first rugby team, as well as the KZN Academy team.

The three are joined by fellow KwaZulu-Natal resident, Saneliswe Khambule, Namibian Abrille Beukes and Free Staters Anje Venter and Jannie de Wet.

Saneliswe, a former learner of Menzi High School in Umlazi, received five distinctions in her final-year exams. The Emily Hobhouse resident registered for a Forensic Science degree and plans on doing her doctoral studies in this exciting career field.

Abrille Beukes is another future doctor and is all the way from Windhoek in Namibia. Abrille obtained a ‘one’ in all her subjects, the highest possible mark in the Namibian school system. The Windhoek-born student received high levels in Mathematics, Accounting, Physical Science, Biology, Afrikaans and English. As second best student in her home country, she will register for a Medicine degree.

Anja, the Free State’s top achiever, received an average percentage of 93% in the matric final exams. The former Eunice student obtained nine distinctions, an achievement that placed her in the national top 100 matriculants. Anja enrolled for a BSc Actuarial Science degree and will be joined in class by former school friend, Jannie de Wet, who obtained a whopping ten distinctions. Jannie and Anja attended Universitas Primary School together, with Jannie finishing his school career at Jim Fouché High School, and just like Anja, he will also enrol for a BSc Actuarial Science degree.

Jannie obtained distinctions in Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Mathematics (third paper), Life Orientation, Accounting, Physical Science, Life Science, Economics and Information Technology. Jannie is also the Volksblad and the University of the Free State’s 2013 Matriculant of the Year.

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