15 Nov 2023

The government, Botswana Society for Deaf and Batswana joined the world community to celebrate the International Awareness Week for the Deaf. 

The main purpose of deaf awareness week, which is normally the final week of September, is to raise awareness of issues of the deaf community and their accomplishments. 

Principal education officer, Special Education, Mr Shingile Mabaila, took part in the eight kilometre walk to mark the day, which was celebrated under the theme; A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere, and he said; ‘today is all about them, to acknowledge that we are aware of their abilities more than inabilities, their talents and contributions to the nation’s economy.’ 

He said the day was not celebrated in September due to lack of funding. He explained that they then decided to mark the day with such a small activity as a march. 

He noted that over the years deaf people had made attempts to come together in an unanimous voice to change societal stereotypes about them and put an end to their social exclusion. 

“While acknowledging improvements here and there, especially from government departments, deaf people still feel that there is still much to be done,” he said. 

He further explained that activities and events throughout the Deaf Awareness Week commemoration encourage individuals to come together as a community for both educational events and celebrations. 

Mr Mabaila said the commemoration gave them the belief that the world ‘is not just a bad place and gives them the hope that people will start becoming aware of their culture and treat them equally in society’. 

He stated further that the International Deaf Awareness Week was about promoting the positive aspect of deafness and social inclusion of deaf people in each and every country in the world. 

Mr Mabaila added that Botswana had acceded to the UN charter as a way of trying to ensure that people living with disabilities are treated as equals with the rest of the community members and that no one should be deprived of compassion and just treatment because they are deaf. 

Earlier on when welcoming guests, board chairperson of Botswana Society for the Deaf (BSD), Ms Bontle Molefe, indicated that the walk could have been done in September at a chosen area and not in Gaborone because they had realised that in some places deaf people are not treated with compassion. 

She emphasised that it was the society that should enlighten Batswana about the rights of the deaf people such as incorporating them in developmental activities. 

The Society’s public relations coordinator, Ms Basadibotlhe Rebinatshipi, said the BSD had long been advocating for and empowering the deaf society in Botswana. 

She said the Society governed two schools; one in Ramotswa and the other in Francistown. 

They admit and enroll children from pre-school to primary. She added that they were advocating for every Motswana to acquire basic sign language for the benefit of the deaf people and the nation at large. ENDS