Cape Town - Hundreds of people participated in the annual DeafSA Western Cape 5km Silent Walk, an awareness initiative to bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing.
The event was the 10th of its kind, hosted by DeafSA Western Cape, commencing at their offices in Hemlock Street, Newlands, on Saturday.
Non-deaf persons were given earplugs to experience what it’s like for those who are deaf.
DeafSA Western Cape provincial director Jabaar Cassiem Mohamed said the walk was started in 2014 and this year saw 360 participants taking part.
“I started this because of the need to bridge the gap between the Deaf and the hearing communities. There are two aims: I would like the hearing to feel what it’s like being deaf for one hour during the walk with earplugs; and to celebrate the National Month of Deaf People which happens every year in September.”
Mohamed said 80% of the participants had joined in for the first time.
The event also included a raffle with prizes.
Nombulelo Krutani, working for the SA Faith and Family Institute, participated to support a colleague who is deaf, as well as to create awareness and provide general support to the deaf community.
“Another reason we are working with the Deaf community and those with disabilities is because we are doing this kind of awareness and teaching about gender-based violence. We are also looking at how faith is being used, and religion maybe, to wrongly educate people in ways that can be abusive to other people.”
Participating were Social Development MEC Jaco Londt, Cultural Affairs and Sports MEC Ricardo Mackenzie, and Western Cape Legislature speaker Daylin Mitchell.
Londt said: “The most important thing is awareness. Those who are not disabled must know what individuals, but also their families, are going through. Creating that awareness is critically important.”
Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, a former MP and DeafSA national executive committee and management member, said sign language interpreters were scarce in South Africa, with only eight to 10 accredited interpreters, and that was why they encouraged more people to pursue this avenue.
Cape Argus