When communication is for all
Sign language to get official status
FOR 30-year-old uMlazi resident Phiwokwakhe Ngcobo, who works at the Bluff Superspar, interacting with customers is one of his favourite parts of the job.
Ngcobo, however, is deaf, and while he moves his hands in the official way to say “hello” in sign language, his message is not always understood.
With sign language about to be listed as the country’s 12th official language, soon more people could be able to “speak” to Ngcobo and many others who find employment in a hearing society.
The Constitutional Review Committee of Parliament has recommended that South African Sign Language be given an official status. Processes still have to be followed to make it official.
It would make a huge difference to Ngcobo and his colleagues who want to learn new things and communicate with all people.
“I am 30 years old and I live in uMlazi. I got this job opportunity after I went to the Blind and Deaf Society who helped me. I’ve been working here since 2013,” said Ngcobo, with the help of an interpreter.
Ngcobo said he enjoyed his work and interacting with the customers.
“While I pack, I say ‘hello’ and tell them to enjoy their day. The customers usually smile back. If I need to say something urgently, especially if it’s work-related, then I write it down,” he said.
He has previously worked as a packer at Ackermans.
“Some of my colleagues understand sign language a bit, but it would be good if people knew sign language,” he said.
But convincing potential employers and placing deaf employees in the workplace is not always easy.
Alphonce Lehasa, from the society, is tasked with finding companies wanting to employ deaf people.
“There are many sessions spent sensitising management on employing a deaf employee. It’s not a situation where people with a hearing disability have no options of work.
“They are able to do what most people can do, and with a little training in sign language for management and colleagues, anything is possible,” said Lehasa.
But with a growing list of 400 active job seekers on their books, Lehasa’s work is cut out for him.
“There are many people seeking jobs, and these are mostly entry-level positions, such as merchandising.
“Not many are able to pursue higher education studies,” said Lehasa.
“More than 300 people have secured jobs, temporary and permanent, since 2013 when Lehasa took over the department. Most find work in assembly lines, working with components or in retail. Other places where deaf employees work are KFC, Checkers, Toyota and the Hesto Harness factory.
Now that sign language was up for official status, said Lehasa, it would encourage people who could hear to speak to those who had hearing disabilities.
“Some of them tell us that sometimes not being able to sign with everybody was frustrating.
“They say it’s like being a foreigner in your own country. However, say we learn basic sign language in school or go for classes to learn, imagine what a difference it would make to employees like Phiwokwakhe?” asked Lehasa.