GLM TEAM 
The Deaf community, government, and business leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the inclusion of Deaf South Africans in the economy and broader society. This renewed pledge was made at the September #DeafAwarenessMonth 2025 & Business Networking Breakfast, hosted by the Neema Foundation for the Deaf in partnership with African Bank.
For far too long, the Deaf community has been systematically marginalised, with limited access to quality education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The keynote address was delivered by Ms Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister in the Presidency For Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Ms Letsike emphasised the importance of forging partnerships between Government, NGOs, and communities, in advancing the rights of the Deaf community.
“This is an opportunity to refresh our commitment, honestly and fully, to ensure the Deaf have full and equal participation in all spheres of society,” she said.
Deputy Minister Letsike said although the South African Sign Language (SASL) is recognised constitutionally, affirming the identity, dignity, and culture of the Deaf community, “this is not enough”.
“Our task is to ensure practical implementation in schools, workplaces, courts, health facilities, and across public life. We must ensure that SASL is not only taught but embraced as part of our collective South African identity. Many of us are multilingual and the additional language we must all learn is SASL,” she added.
Furthermore, the gathering underscored the urgent need to dismantle barriers that continue to exclude Deaf South Africans from full participation in society
“Our continued partnership with the Neema Foundation for the Deaf is a reflection of our purpose as African Bank and the spirit of our founding fathers. African Bank was established to champion greater inclusion and empower communities on the path to growth and prosperity,” said African Bank Group Chief Transformation & Sustainability Officer, Edna Sathekga Montse.
In her address, Riah Phiyega, CEO of the Safer South Africa Foundation, emphasised the link between inclusion and safety:
“Exclusion breeds vulnerability. When we empower the Deaf community with access to education, employment, and justice, we are building a safer, more cohesive South Africa for everyone.”
Ms Prudence Ngobese, Gauteng Coordinator for Corporate Social Investment at the Hollywood Foundation said the organisation was collaborating with the Neema Foundation to keep the chatbot fully accessible, opening the door for more Deaf people to receive vital information in sign language.
“Creating sustainable solutions that uplift and support our communities aligns perfectly with our mission to drive meaningful impact, promote inclusion, and break down barriers in all spaces,” she said.
The Business Networking Breakfast created a platform for meaningful connections between the Deaf community and business leaders, sparking discussions on employment pathways, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility.
“There is still much work to be done to ensure that Deaf South Africans can access quality education, secure jobs, or start their own businesses,” said Fatima Cele, CEO of the Neema Foundation.
Cele spoke ahead of the 9th Annual #SilentWalkAndRun 2025, the largest event commemorating Deaf Awareness Month, which brings together the Deaf and hearing communities, attracting over 2,000 participants each year.
“Today was a powerful show of solidarity with the Deaf community. We are grateful for the support and the recommitment we’ve seen here. This will go a long way towards improving the livelihoods of Deaf South Africans,” Cele added.
“Today was a declaration that the Deaf community belongs at the centre of our national conversation,” said Cele. “Our silence has been mistaken for absence. We are here to ensure that Deaf voices are heard, valued, and empowered.”
“We leave this event energised and committed to building partnerships that will open doors for Deaf South Africans. Inclusion is not charity. It is justice,” Cele concluded.
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