02 Oct 2013

Unlike other preachers, Pastor Emelang Maikotlhai will not rhetorically preach.

Nor is he charismatic as his legion of Pentecostal ministers, it is even unheard of him uttering a word during his sermon. Nevertheless, Pastor Moikotlhai beautifully conveys his message and intrigues the congregation through the use of sign language.

And through his positive attitudes, the 45 years old deaf pastor from Serowe is among people living with disability and yet refusing to be regarded as a second-class citizen.

Born deaf, the pastor is used to the communication hiccups between the deaf and mainstream society. From boarding a taxi, a visit to the hospital and even at church, communicating with the deaf is complex and often need a third party. However this will not stop the First Bible Baptist Church pastor from living a dignified life.

“I got married in 2001,” he said through the interpreter Ms Thatayotlhe Maiketso in an interview. Interestingly, Mr Moikotlhai is also a father to three daughters and none of them is deaf. “All of these three girls I have taught them sign language to ease communicate in the family,” he added.

Although he is already an inspiration to many of the deaf community, Mr Moikotlhai is not alone in setting a good precedence for the deaf community.

Among those is a 24 year old Ms Kopo Chiliwa, an Information Technology student at Gaborone Institute for Professional Studies (GIPS). Despite being born deaf, Ms Chiliwa is an actor for the Botswana Society for the Deaf drama group and once harbored the interest of being a television presenter.

However, the dream faded away due to the harsh environment the deaf community find themselves in, hence she chose information technology path.

“At times it becomes so difficult at the bank to get assistance. I would need an interpreter around because tellers would be throwing questions at me,” she added. Another challenge for the Thamasanga born students is that her parents are not yet conversant with sign language.

However despite the challenge, Ms Chiliwa is determined of passing her hurdles in life to live better. However, just like the other deaf community, they are looking for a day when the society would enable itself to communicate with sign language, and spare the deaf community the hassles and hurdles of engaging a third person in very encounter. ENDS