Sign language set to become the 12th SA official language

The Deaf Community is waiting in anticipation for President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the Constitution 18th Amendment Bill into law. The Bill seeks to make sign language the 12th official language under Section 6 of the Constitution. The Bill was recently passed in the National Assembly. The process of amending the Constitution first went through Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee before the 18th Amendment Bill was developed and passed.

Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen is a member of Parliament who uses sign language and she is deaf. She has been an African National Congress (ANC) member of the National Assembly since 1999 but had a two-year break between 2014 and 2016.

She has been a member of the Communications Committee and also sits on the Justice and Correctional Services Committee. Newhoudt-Druchen is elated that the National Assembly recently passed the Constitution 18th Amendment Bill with more than 300 votes.

Newhoudt-Druchen says, “We actually just needed 267, two-thirds and we passed it with such a huge number and I would like to thank all political parties who supported us unanimously to pass the bill. You know the deaf community march in 2006 in all of the provinces. I would like to thank all the people who were involved in the march. Pansalb has given us support, the Department of Arts and Culture has given us support, and the Department of Basic Education has already implemented. So there are many role players, not just outside parliament. So we really want to thank them all for that. The lawmaker and the deaf community can’t wait for President Ramaphosa to sign the Bill into law.

Newhoudt-Druchen says, “We wish it was yesterday, we wish the President signed it already yesterday. As soon as possible, but yes, we understand that there is a process. Parliament does need to inform the Presidency and I believe that the Department of Justice needs to be informed that Parliament has passed the bill and now it’s up to Parliament to draft a memo to present to the President for him to sign. So, we are looking forward to that. It’s taking too long but we hope it will be done soon.

But how has parliament made it possible for persons with disability, including Newhoudt-Druchen, who uses sign language, to participate in the business of the National Assembly?

Secretary to the National Assembly Masibulele Xaso says, “Members of parliament have the right to participate fully in the affairs of parliament. To participate in the debate in committees of the house, and parliament must always ensure that it’s accessible to members of parliament but also to the general public but for members of parliament in particular for instance members who would require sign language or members who use wheelchairs who need to access the buildings and access the chamber, parliament has an obligation to enable that to happen. So obviously, members come to parliament through their parties. So within the parties, there would be some allowances. Disability allowances where applicable. And they would obviously be a contribution that parliament makes to the party and the party would make the arrangements for that specific member.

Source: SABC

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