27 Sep 2015

Third president Dr Festus Mogae has said more needs to be done at community and national level to change the status quo of people with hearing challenges.

Dr Mogae, who is the patron of Botswana Society for the Deaf was speaking at the International Deaf Awareness Week held in Maun on recently.   

He said the annual event, that comes on the last week of September promotes inclusion, appreciate achievements and challenges faced by deaf people.  

Dr Mogae noted that people living with hearing challenges have been marginalised and faced stereotypes, therefore the awareness week was critical to promote social inclusion, create a positive environment for them and the future generation.   

People with hearing challenges, he said, will feel included in the national and community buildings such as at public consultations at kgotla meetings if their unique language is used to accommodate them as well as to have sign language interpreters in government departments.  

“The concern from deaf people is that the message has reached the masses, and great policies are formulated but not put into practice thus the theme, ‘Enough said but none heard,’ he said.

Furthermore, Dr Mogae observed that schools for people with hearing challenges needed to be increased because the only two in Francistown and Ramotswa were not enough.   

He pointed out that although government made efforts to train teachers on sign language, it was unfortunate that they got transferred to other schools of ordinary students.   

Dr Mogae said it was critical to set a standard for Botswana sign language, which will be common nationally.   

The executive director of Botswana Society for the Deaf Ms Shirley Mokgosi said the greatest milestone for people with hearing challenges to feel wholly accepted will be if the nation could learn their language.   

Ms Mokgosi said the deaf experience challenges in terms of accessing information and communication with some members of the community.  BOPA