Mrs. Mashatile speaking at the Silent Walk event
South Africa’s Second Lady, Mrs Humile Mashatile, was joined by several government officials and civil society leaders at the 7th annual #SilentWalkAndRun which took place on Saturday, 16 September,2023, at Marks Park Sports Ground in Emmarentia, Johannesburg.
“The support from the Government, the private sector and the public was inspiring! Both the hearing and Deaf community enjoyed this iconic event,” says Cebisile Ndebele, Chairperson of Neema Foundation for the Deaf.
Said Ms Phuti Mabelebele, Chief Director for Advocacy and Mainstreaming Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: “For us as a department, what is quite significant this year is the event coming at a time when the President has just ascended the South African Sign Language (SASL) to become the 12th official language as of July 2023 which mandates us to work with organisations for deaf persons including organisations for persons with disabilities.
“Deaf Awareness Month is part of our calendar of awareness raising so we have partnered with Neema Foundation to support this initiative and we have also joined hands with other deaf organisations to show efforts the department is doing to bring awareness of SASL and implementing it.
There are more than 4 million Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the country. Most of them spend most of their time at home, unproductive. This contributes to the huge problems of substance abuse and gender-based violence silently ravaging the Deaf community.
Ms Mashatile was joined by the Speaker of the City of Joburg Council, Councillor Colleen Makhubela, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Joburg; Councillor Ennie Makhafola, CEO of Safer South Africa; Retired General Riah Phiyega, Ms Charlene Roberson from Tears Foundation and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation represented by Ms Mashudu Magada.
“Working with the disability community is close to my heart. Now that South African Sign Language is our 12th official language, I encourage everyone to learn it as part of efforts to build a socially and economically inclusive society,” says Ms Mashatile.
In addition to the 5km walk and run, there was plenty of fun: aerobics, tennis, dancing with amapantsula dancers, jumping castles for the little ones and being serenaded in song by the St Vincent School for the Deaf choir.
More recently, the #SilentWalk&Run has received support from the Gauteng Government, mainly from the Premier’s Office and the provincial departments of Sports, Arts and Culture, Community Development and Social Development. The Corporate sector is also starting to come on board. The 7th edition of the #SilentWalk&Run was supported by organisations such as Workers’ Life, the Clinix Group, Petra Diamonds and eDeaf.
African Bank, one of the country’s leading retail banks, has taken the lead to become the first corporate partner of the 7th Annual #SilentWalkAndRun.
Sibusiso Kumalo, Marketing Officer at African Bank said the issue of marginalisation of people is of enormous concern to African Bank. “Through our partnership with the #SilentWalkAndRun, we empower silent voices to be heard, acknowledged, and valued, contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious community.”
ChildLine, Lifeline, and entrepreneurs from the disability sector were also part of the exhibition to raise awareness of their services and products. The Department of Health also offered free health checks.
The #SilentWalkAndRun aims to raise awareness of these social ills.
The Deaf community is appealing to the authorities and business leaders to avail South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters in public spaces such as police stations, clinics, hospitals, traffic departments, airports, banks, and other similar service touch points to those needing this essential service.
“The Deaf and hard-of-hearing have the same human rights as the rest of society but additionally, these rights must be delivered to them in the appropriate manner for them to be received and therefore be realised,” concluded Ndebele.
Mrs Humile Mashatile attends the 7th Annual Silent/Walk Run in Johannesburg.
