Eager students attend a masterclass to begin learning and using South African sign language.
The South African Medical Student Association (SAMSA) has rolled up its sleeves to ensure that the Wits community is able to use the 12th official language of the country.
Samsa hosted its first sign language masterclass for 2024 in collaboration with the Wits Disability Rights Unit on Thursday, April 11, at the Wits Medical School. The classes were initially introduced last September during Deaf Awareness month.
The classes are conducted by Khetha Mbatha, a professional sign language practitioner, who interprets classes for deaf registered students at Wits from different faculties.
During the class, Mbatha unpacked how the deaf community forms their language and the basics of sign language, like signing introductions and emotional expressions.
She also went over some cultural norms of the deaf community, and highlighted the rules one should adhere to when communicating with a deaf person. For example, one should always maintain eye contact and avoid being distracted.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela Mbatha expressed her desire to see more people signing up for the classes. She said this will create an inclusive and accessible environment for the deaf community; so that they do not feel marginalized amongst the larger hearing community.
“If we can have teachers in deaf schools signing fluently, then that means the education of our deaf children will be improved” said Mbatha.
Marianne Ham, Samsa’s event coordinator said, “as a society, we are trying to bring people together who are interested in different things and create awareness”.
Samsa intends to host three more sign language introductory classes during the year at Wits Medical School in order to continue creating opportunities to expand one’s knowledge and embrace diversity.
FEATERED IMAGE: Khetha Mbatha conducting the sign language class. Photo: Salim Nkosi
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