By Obakeng Maje

Taung- As part of its mandate, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will be celebrating the Deaf Awareness week from the September 1-7.

The celebrations around the Province will form part of the build-up programs for Deaf Awareness Week followed by the main event in Taung on September 7.

Deaf Awareness week will focus on educating people about Deafness and Sign Language.

“The aim is to draw attention to Deaf people, their challenges, capabilities as well as achievements. A number of Deaf communities around the world unite in celebrating Deaf Awareness week during this period” said mme Tebogo Modise.

The commemorative week was meant to educate communities about the many issues of deaf population face in their everyday life, as well as to honour their history and their culture.

Among the activities of the build-up programme, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will be hosting a Deaf Women Empowerment Seminar that will take place on September 4 at Archives Building in Mmabatho.

There will be various presentations and exhibitions by organizations such as the Human Rights Commission, Provincial Council on Aids, the South African Social Security Agency, the Departments of Social Development, Safety and Security, and other agencies.

The main event will be held at Mmabana Taung on September 7. It will commence with a march by Deaf Communities from around the North West Province to draw the attention of the community to issues affecting this sector of society.

“We want people to understand Deaf communities so that they can be able to communicate well with them, and for them to socialize with other hearing people without feeling sidelined. Government officials should also be urged to learn Sign Language in order to be able to deliver excellent service to the Deaf communities.” says MEC Mme Tebogo Modise.

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