The Limpopo Provincial Government will today, 28 September 2023, embark on a silent walk from the SABC Park on Excelsior and Market Streets, to raise awareness of Deaf month. Silent walk brings together Deaf South Africa, institutions of higher learning, and Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) to raise awareness on the rights of Deaf or hard of hearing.
This walk comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed South African Sign Language Bill into Law to make sign language the 12th official language. This milestone, which was signed off on the 19 July 2023, builds on the strides that government has made since 1994 to entrench and protect language rights.
The new legislation aims to advance the cultural acceptance of South African Sign Language (SASL). It also ensures that the rights of people who are deaf and hard of hearing have equal protection and benefit of the law and human dignity. September is observed as International Month for Deaf people to promote awareness of the rights of deaf people around the world.
Details of the silent walk are as follows:
Date : 28 September 2023
Time : 10h00
Venue : Municipal Park next to SABC (corner Excelsior & Market Street, Polokwane) to Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Issued by the Limpopo Provincial Government.