Deaf community demands sign language recognition
The Namibian deaf community is urging parliament to revive a 2023 motion that would grant official recognition to Namibian Sign Language and mandate the use of interpreters in legislative proceedings. Advocates argue that the current lack of access excludes deaf citizens from participating in national decision-making.
Why it matters
The push for sign language recognition is a significant civil rights issue regarding accessibility and political inclusion for disabled populations.
Namibia’s deaf community is calling on parliamentarians to revive a 2023 motion seeking the official recognition of Namibian Sign Language and the provision of sign language interpreters in parliament.
There are currently about 27 000 deaf people in the country.
Martin Tjivera, founder of the Namibia National Association of the Deaf and current president of the Deaf Empowerment Organisation, says the deaf community still does not know what became of the motion tabled in the National Assembly by former deputy minister of disability affairs Alexia Ncube.
“It has been a while since the former deputy minister of disability affairs, Alexia Ncube, tabled a motion in the National Assembly for the official recognition of Namibian Sign Language as a national sign language of Namibia, and for the appointment of sign language interpreters in parliament,” Tjivera says.
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