Deaf in South Africa
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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| People Name: | Deaf |
| Country: | South Africa |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 235,000 |
| World Population: | 27,576,680 |
| Primary Language: | South African Sign Language |
| Primary Religion: | Unknown |
| Christian Adherents: | 1.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Deaf |
| Affinity Bloc: | Deaf |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Unlike ethnic groups, Deaf people can be found in every country in the world and often blend in with the broader community around them. Deaf people are often viewed as a disabled group, but a more accurate approach is to consider them as a distinct people group. They have their own unique languages and culture.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Some Deaf South Africans live in middle and upper-middle-class areas of large cities and small towns. Others maintain rural ancestral lands. Many families live in poorer townships. Most Deaf people live on social grants without jobs, either among their families or in disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The Deaf are quite patient with hearing people; however, most of them don't know any way to communicate and tend to avoid them.
A few have more education, which leads to better jobs. Deaf people don't see themselves as disabled but communicate directly and literally with Sign Language's unique structure. Only now does the national Education Department realize that the Deaf need to learn South African Sign Language to achieve more.
The Deaf generally socialize within their Deaf culture and language group, as well as with other dialects. Five aspects of any Sign Language include: hand shape, position in space, palm orientation, movement, and expression. Sign dialects vary, with some aspects overlapping.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The first Catholic Deaf school opened about 170 years ago. But there are very few yet today who follow Christ.
What Are Their Needs?
The few believers can't easily grow in faith since they don't understand the written Bibles. Perhaps 60-80 percent of Deaf people follow traditional African religious practices. About 1 to 3 percent are Muslim. Because a lack of accessible education creates low reading skills, the Deaf need Bibles that their hearts can understand, which is South African Sign Language.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to prepare and send out Deaf workers to the Deaf in South Africa.
Ask God to provide worship services in sign language in South Africa.
Pray for interpreters who love and relate to the Deaf.
Pray for the Deaf in South Africa to hunger for spiritual truth and find it in Jesus.