The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has long introduced SASL as part of its curriculum but the only difference now is that it will be available also as a second additional language.
This then means that learning and taking the language as an additional language is not restricted for learners with special needs.
In an interview, DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said:
We are all encouraged to learn the South African Sign Language and it's important that the curriculum now offers that language.
It has been reported that DBE Minister Angie Motshekga has also added approximately four more languages at a second language level, this includes Khoi, San, and other Nam languages.
These communities have been backed by activists through advocacy for these languages to receive recognition for a long time and knowing that they have finally made a breakthrough, means a lot to them.
The Pan South African language board has welcomed the cabinet’s approval of the publication of the 18th constitutional amendment bill for public comments to declare South African Sign Language as the 12th official language in the country.
The board added that this reaffirms the democratic right of deaf persons to meaningfully participate in public life using their own language.
