Deaf Activist calls for official recognition of Sign Language
Deaf activist and sign language interpreter, Aobakwe Quinton Mfolwe has called for the official recognition of Botswana Sign Language, saying it would improve access to essential services, education, employment and justice for Deaf people across the country.
Mfolwe’s call comes amid growing calls for disability inclusivity in Botswana, following remarks by Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Pius Mokgware at the BOSETU Annual Conference in Palapye, where he emphasised the importance of including people with disabilities in national development.
Mokgware highlighted the need for people living with disabilities to be accommodated in workplaces, meetings and public gatherings, ensuring that they are not excluded from opportunities and decision-making processes.
According to Mfolwe, officially recognising Botswana Sign Language would help move Deaf people from being overlooked to being recognised as citizens with linguistic rights. He argued that recognition would enable Deaf people to demand services in their language rather than depend on the goodwill of service providers.
“Language is dignity. You cannot access justice, health, education without language,” Mfolwe said.
He pointed to challenges faced by Deaf people when accessing healthcare, police services and government offices, where the absence of qualified sign language interpreters can create communication barriers.
Mfolwe said Deaf patients may struggle to explain their symptoms or understand medical information, while those interacting with the police or courts may face difficulties understanding charges, giving statements or
participating meaningfully in legal proceedings.
He added that relying on family members to interpret at government offices and healthcare facilities could compromise privacy, particularly for people seeking assistance with sensitive matters such as abuse and gender-based violence.
Mfolwe said official recognition should therefore be accompanied by practical measures to ensure that sign language interpretation becomes an accessible service rather than a favour.
He called for government ministries, hospitals and courts to make provision for qualified interpreters, including through dedicated budget allocations and the employment of interpreters as permanent staff.
In education, Mfolwe said the absence of sign language in the classroom prevents Deaf learners from fully understanding lessons, even when they are physically present at school.
He called for the training and deployment of qualified Botswana Sign Language teachers and interpreters, the development of accessible learning materials and the introduction of sign language as a subject in basic education.
He also emphasised the importance of early exposure to sign language for Deaf children, arguing that access to communication from an early age is essential for learning and development.
In the workplace, Mfolwe maintained that Deaf people are often excluded not because they lack the necessary skills, but because employers and colleagues cannot communicate with them effectively.
He said communication barriers could prevent Deaf job seekers from participating fairly in interviews, accessing vocational training and contributing to workplace discussions.
Mfolwe welcomed the proposal for a one per cent employment quota for people with disabilities, saying such measures could help improve employment opportunities for Deaf people if accompanied by effective implementation and workplace support.
He further called for sign language interpreters at public meetings, conferences, national consultations and government broadcasts to ensure that Deaf citizens can participate in public affairs.
According to Mfolwe, access to information is central to meaningful participation in democracy, including the ability to vote independently, engage in community meetings and follow parliamentary proceedings.
He proposed the establishment of a Botswana Sign Language Council to support the standardisation and development of the language, alongside the introduction of formal qualifications in sign language interpretation at tertiary institutions.
He also called for regular monitoring of government compliance with disability inclusion measures and the use of technology to improve access to emergency services and public information.
However, Mfolwe stressed that the responsibility for inclusion should not rest solely on interpreters, arguing that teachers, healthcare workers, police officers and other public servants should also receive basic sign language training.
He said this would enable more immediate communication between Deaf people and service providers while fostering a culture of inclusion from an early age.
“Recognition without implementation is just paper,” he said, urging the government to ensure that any legal recognition translates into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Deaf people.
Mfolwe said progress should be measured by whether Deaf citizens can access healthcare without communication barriers, receive an inclusive education, secure employment and follow television programmes and public announcements with the assistance of sign language interpretation.
“Botswana cannot say ‘Leave No One Behind’ while leaving 30,000+ Deaf citizens behind,” he said.
He maintained that recognising Botswana Sign Language would affirm the dignity of Deaf people and strengthen their participation in the country’s social, economic and political life.
Mfolwe’s call comes amid growing calls for disability inclusivity in Botswana, following remarks by Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Pius Mokgware at the BOSETU Annual Conference in Palapye, where he emphasised the importance of including people with disabilities in national development.
Mokgware highlighted the need for people living with disabilities to be accommodated in workplaces, meetings and public gatherings, ensuring that they are not excluded from opportunities and decision-making processes.
According to Mfolwe, officially recognising Botswana Sign Language would help move Deaf people from being overlooked to being recognised as citizens with linguistic rights. He argued that recognition would enable Deaf people to demand services in their language rather than depend on the goodwill of service providers.
“Language is dignity. You cannot access justice, health, education without language,” Mfolwe said.
He pointed to challenges faced by Deaf people when accessing healthcare, police services and government offices, where the absence of qualified sign language interpreters can create communication barriers.
Mfolwe said Deaf patients may struggle to explain their symptoms or understand medical information, while those interacting with the police or courts may face difficulties understanding charges, giving statements or
participating meaningfully in legal proceedings.
He added that relying on family members to interpret at government offices and healthcare facilities could compromise privacy, particularly for people seeking assistance with sensitive matters such as abuse and gender-based violence.
Mfolwe said official recognition should therefore be accompanied by practical measures to ensure that sign language interpretation becomes an accessible service rather than a favour.
He called for government ministries, hospitals and courts to make provision for qualified interpreters, including through dedicated budget allocations and the employment of interpreters as permanent staff.
In education, Mfolwe said the absence of sign language in the classroom prevents Deaf learners from fully understanding lessons, even when they are physically present at school.
He called for the training and deployment of qualified Botswana Sign Language teachers and interpreters, the development of accessible learning materials and the introduction of sign language as a subject in basic education.
He also emphasised the importance of early exposure to sign language for Deaf children, arguing that access to communication from an early age is essential for learning and development.
In the workplace, Mfolwe maintained that Deaf people are often excluded not because they lack the necessary skills, but because employers and colleagues cannot communicate with them effectively.
He said communication barriers could prevent Deaf job seekers from participating fairly in interviews, accessing vocational training and contributing to workplace discussions.
Mfolwe welcomed the proposal for a one per cent employment quota for people with disabilities, saying such measures could help improve employment opportunities for Deaf people if accompanied by effective implementation and workplace support.
He further called for sign language interpreters at public meetings, conferences, national consultations and government broadcasts to ensure that Deaf citizens can participate in public affairs.
According to Mfolwe, access to information is central to meaningful participation in democracy, including the ability to vote independently, engage in community meetings and follow parliamentary proceedings.
He proposed the establishment of a Botswana Sign Language Council to support the standardisation and development of the language, alongside the introduction of formal qualifications in sign language interpretation at tertiary institutions.
He also called for regular monitoring of government compliance with disability inclusion measures and the use of technology to improve access to emergency services and public information.
However, Mfolwe stressed that the responsibility for inclusion should not rest solely on interpreters, arguing that teachers, healthcare workers, police officers and other public servants should also receive basic sign language training.
He said this would enable more immediate communication between Deaf people and service providers while fostering a culture of inclusion from an early age.
“Recognition without implementation is just paper,” he said, urging the government to ensure that any legal recognition translates into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Deaf people.
Mfolwe said progress should be measured by whether Deaf citizens can access healthcare without communication barriers, receive an inclusive education, secure employment and follow television programmes and public announcements with the assistance of sign language interpretation.
“Botswana cannot say ‘Leave No One Behind’ while leaving 30,000+ Deaf citizens behind,” he said.
He maintained that recognising Botswana Sign Language would affirm the dignity of Deaf people and strengthen their participation in the country’s social, economic and political life.
