1. HON. Members, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) are the different ways to communicate, in addition to, speech or writing. AAC may be aided or unaided, therefore signing is an unaided method of communication.
2. Sign language is a strategic form of communication, and an alternative for those who are non-speaking; to be understood.
3. HON. Members, learning sign language is not only good for the brain and wards off the early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s also good for expanding our communication skills, therefore the Minority Front supports HON. Gwala’s IFP motion.
4. HON. Speaker, let’s remind ourselves of how effective body language is and as much as braille is useful to the blind, sign language is equally useful to the deaf and dumb.  This language allows us to communicate in rich, meaningful ways and it’s also the best way to develop awareness and sensitivity to the deaf and dumb community. Learning sign language must be part of all education curriculum, not only in schools but at tertiary level.
5. Statistics reveal that more South Africans are learning sign languages to build their relationships with the ± 1.5 million South Africans who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign language in South Africa is understood by all communities, regardless of the linguistic backgrounds the signers are from. With a few variances, the language structure is still the same – and it is a beautiful, expressive language to learn.
6. It is equally important to understand causes of deafness, malformation of parts of the ear, ear infection; allergies, perforated eardrum, benign tumours, impacted earwax, infection, foreign body in the ear; oteosclerosis; and medicine side effects as well as ageing.
7. HON. Speaker and HON. Members, learning sign language will assist in conversing with signers when we undertake our work, as well, at home and in the community.
8. Therefore, I support HON. M.B. Gwala’s motion that sign language be introduced into the school curriculum and for Members to have a basic understanding of sign language.

Thank you.

Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi

Minority Front Leader (KZN Legislature)