The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has recently approved of making South African Sign Language (SASL) into the country’s 12th official language.

However, the final verdict is reserved for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the only one capable of signing it into law. As soon as this process takes place, the Constitution and the National Official Languages Act will be amended to accommodate SASL as an official language.

Parliament stated: “Primarily, the amendment seeks to advance the cultural acceptance of SASL, the deaf culture; ensure the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing to equal protection and benefit of the law and human dignity.”

Darul Ihsan Media Desk