THE sign language interpreter Khetha Makoatsane is passionate about helping millions of deaf people with information about what is happening in the country.
Khetha from Newcastle in KZN works on Newsroom Africa’s Zulu news show called Izindaba Zethu, which airs on Mzansi Wethu (DStv channel 163) at 7pm.
She also interprets lectures for deaf students at the Wits University’s Disability Right Unity when she is not on TV.
Khetha said her passion for sign language, which recently became Mzansi's 12th official language, came about when she realised how inaccessible news was to the deaf community.
“I wanted the deaf community to have access to what was happening in the world and how it affected them and everyone around them.
“The most memorable story I have covered was the pandemic. Wearing masks, staying at home, and keeping safe was important information that the deaf community needed to know and have access to,” said Khetha.
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She said many members of the deaf community were confused and didn’t understand what was happening.
“Having the information in their language helped save lives. It has been an amazing journey. It feels warm and like you are home.
“Everyone is nice and helpful. You are given a chance to speak and share your ideas as well. I’m not just an interpreter but also have to come up with stories and I’m part of the team. I feel important, not an afterthought like it usually is for sign language interpreters,” said Khetha.
She said Zulu is her home language and she encourages everyone, even her children, to use their home language.
She said it gives her a sense of pride that she gets to use her language on a platform like this and it lets her know that her language is important, and it will be preserved.
She said speaking to people in a language they understand is important, "because the information you want to share will definitely reach your target audience".
