“I learnt SASL from my Pastor with the help of other Deaf individuals. Every opportunity I got,
I had to use it. I even learnt the language and helped around my church with interpretation.”
READ: No budget for Sign Language Interpreters in colleges
A 19-year-old youngster from Tembisa in Ekurhuleni is studying toward an LLB Degree at the University of Johannesburg, to ensure that the rights of the Deaf Community that are enshrined in the Bill of Rights are exercised during court proceedings.
Zanele Mautjana was moved by the pain and sufferings that the Deaf community encounters in the society and in the justice system due to language barriers. Hence, she was eager to learn South African Sign Language (SASL). Additionally, it is to ensure that the Deaf community have access to courts or justice. This is in accordance with Section 32 (1)(b) of the Bill of Rights which states that everyone has the right to have any dispute that can be resolved by the application of law decided in a fair public hearing before a court, where appropriate, or through another independent and impartial tribunal or forum. After completing her studies, Mautjana will probably be the first or among a few attorneys in the South African judiciary system who can Sign during court proceedings.
“I am studying toward my LLB which will enable me to be an attorney. This has always been my passion. I started participating in debates at Grade three. I always loved to speak and challenge how humans think and see things,” said Mautjana.
During her childhood, she knew that she wanted to be an attorney, but she never thought that she would want to address the plight of the Deaf community.
Fellowshipping at a church where the Pastor preaches in SASL inspired her to learn the language. Mautjana explained that she learned SASL from her church leader, Pastor Senzi Motha of Umthombo Wokuphila Ministries International in Esangweni Section, Tembisa. Pastor Motha is popularly known for her love for the Deaf community and fighting for their rights.
Mautjana would sometimes assist the church to Sign for the Deaf members.
Mautjana said:
A 19-year-old youngster from Tembisa in Ekurhuleni is studying toward an LLB Degree at the University of Johannesburg, to ensure that the rights of the Deaf Community that are enshrined in the Bill of Rights are exercised during court proceedings.
Zanele Mautjana was moved by the pain and sufferings that the Deaf community encounters in the society and in the justice system due to language barriers. Hence, she was eager to learn South African Sign Language (SASL). Additionally, it is to ensure that the Deaf community have access to courts or justice. This is in accordance with Section 32 (1)(b) of the Bill of Rights which states that everyone has the right to have any dispute that can be resolved by the application of law decided in a fair public hearing before a court, where appropriate, or through another independent and impartial tribunal or forum. After completing her studies, Mautjana will probably be the first or among a few attorneys in the South African judiciary system who can Sign during court proceedings.
“I am studying toward my LLB which will enable me to be an attorney. This has always been my passion. I started participating in debates at Grade three. I always loved to speak and challenge how humans think and see things,” said Mautjana.
During her childhood, she knew that she wanted to be an attorney, but she never thought that she would want to address the plight of the Deaf community.
Fellowshipping at a church where the Pastor preaches in SASL inspired her to learn the language. Mautjana explained that she learned SASL from her church leader, Pastor Senzi Motha of Umthombo Wokuphila Ministries International in Esangweni Section, Tembisa. Pastor Motha is popularly known for her love for the Deaf community and fighting for their rights.
Mautjana would sometimes assist the church to Sign for the Deaf members.
Mautjana said:
"I learnt SASL from my Pastor with the help of other Deaf individuals. Every opportunity I got, I had to use it. I even learnt the language and helped around my church with interpretation."
Mautjana said studying toward a degree in LLB did not come easy. She had to work hard to reach her goal of studying it.
READ: No budget for Sign Language Interpreters in colleges
She explained that “I was born and raised by my parents but they divorced when I was in Grade three. Life just got hard because I had to go and live in my mom’s family home. My mom could barely have money for food or to buy me my necessities.”
Therefore, based on the financial challenges, at the age of 14, she began selling scones to fend for her family. Mautjana said, “My mom and I started selling scones. When I came back from school, I had to go door-to-door in my neighborhood to sell scones so that we could have food. I would make probably R50 a day, maximum. But sometimes I would get R15 or return home without selling anything. I worked hard to ensure that my mom does not have to go through that again.”
“After I started helping my mom out with selling (scones), I never went to bed hungry. It kept me going.” Talking to positive people, “made me to feel that it was worth it (to sell scones) rather than having to play all day and go home knowing well I would not have food to eat,” recalled Mautjana.
It is such challenges that have strengthen her personality and increased her love for those who are marginalised. She looks forward to assisting the Deaf community after completing her studies and articles.
READ: No budget for Sign Language Interpreters in colleges
She explained that “I was born and raised by my parents but they divorced when I was in Grade three. Life just got hard because I had to go and live in my mom’s family home. My mom could barely have money for food or to buy me my necessities.”
Therefore, based on the financial challenges, at the age of 14, she began selling scones to fend for her family. Mautjana said, “My mom and I started selling scones. When I came back from school, I had to go door-to-door in my neighborhood to sell scones so that we could have food. I would make probably R50 a day, maximum. But sometimes I would get R15 or return home without selling anything. I worked hard to ensure that my mom does not have to go through that again.”
“After I started helping my mom out with selling (scones), I never went to bed hungry. It kept me going.” Talking to positive people, “made me to feel that it was worth it (to sell scones) rather than having to play all day and go home knowing well I would not have food to eat,” recalled Mautjana.
It is such challenges that have strengthen her personality and increased her love for those who are marginalised. She looks forward to assisting the Deaf community after completing her studies and articles.
