A student-led movement is driving a significant change at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) by championing Deaf awareness and basic sign language skills. Uni-Sign & Connect, a capacity-building initiative powered by UJ Community Engagement, is working to create a more inclusive, accessible, and united university environment.
The initiative was first launched in September 2024 as a service-learning project within the Department of Social Work and Community Development. It was developed and is facilitated by Mpho Mokgethi, a Community Development graduate currently pursuing a BA Honours in Public Management and Governance.
Mokgethi’s deep connection to the language stems from having a deaf parent and using the language as her home language.
“The project grew out of a community development internship that encourages students to find sustainable solutions to needs within their community. Initially, it was intended to provide basic sign language lessons at the UJ Community Engagement Unit, but it has now highlighted the university’s limited resources concerning Deaf and sign language studies. The mission of Uni-Sign & Connect is now to address this gap, break communication barriers, and combat the marginalisation of the hard of hearing community,” she explained.
The initiative offers practical workshops and online video tutorials. The workshops are designed to capacitate individuals with essential signing skills, including fingerspelling, introductions, understanding South African Sign Language (SASL) sentence structure, and Deaf etiquette, while also working to break myths about the Deaf community and sign language.
“This vital work aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Furthermore, the project supports the recent constitutional recognition of SASL as the 12th official South African language,” Mokgethi said.
In 2024, Uni-Sign & Connect hosted a practical workshop and showcases for UJ Community Engagement and the Department of Social Work, attracting over 50 participants, including students, staff, and community members. A key achievement was its recognition and feature in the UJ Impact Magazine 2025.
This year, the initiative hosted its first workshop for Deaf Awareness Month on September 18 at the Soweto Campus, bringing in 40 participants in collaboration with another community development initiative, Multilingualism. “To reach a broader audience, we have also created weekly online sign language lessons. To close off Deaf Awareness Month on September 30, we hosted a workshop focusing on basic greetings, manners, time concepts, fingerspelling (alphabets), basic conversations, and tips for communicating with Deaf individuals”, she added.
Looking ahead, one of the initiative’s major goals is to develop a short learning programme for the University of Johannesburg, with guidance from the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Kulsum Kondiah, and UJ Community Engagement Specialist, Tseleng Modjadji.
Student participant Boipelo Sematu described the experience as ‘incredibly enriching,’ and praised the instructor for being patient and creating a ‘warm and supportive learning environment’. Sematu added, “The workshop opened my eyes to the beauty of sign language, and I’m excited to continue learning and connecting with the Deaf community.”
Another participant, Kamogelo Nwandule, noted that the workshop was valuable in developing a; “deeper understanding of the language and respectful ways to address hard of hearing individuals.This is particularly relevant when it comes to learning what to avoid when interacting with deaf individuals, ensuring my communication is appropriate and considerate.”
Uni-Sign & Connect continues to build a legacy of accessibility and connection, one sign at a time.
