“I stand to be corrected but I think I’m the only hearing person who went to a deaf school. Don’t ask me why because even I want to know why. I did my Maths and Biology and Science in sign language”

In May of this year, South Africa passed a law which will officially make sign language the 12th official language.

This follows intense lobbying by activists over many years.

Estimates vary greatly on the number of users: from 700,000 to 2 million.

This includes hearing people who communicate with their disabled relatives, friends and colleagues.

Experts say, although there are similarities, every country in Africa and the world has its own sign language, with different dialects.

So, considering the influence of western cultures and communication mediums, how can native African sign languages be developed, to ensure they don’t perish?

Presenter: Alan Kasujja

Guests: Andiswa Gebashe and Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst