MPs push to recognise sign language as official language
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday August 19, 2026 06:00
They argued its recognition would help dismantle long-standing barriers faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens. The motion was tabled by Kgatleng Central MP, Mpho Morolong, who argued that language is more than a means of communication, but a vehicle for identity, culture, and participation in society.
Morolong said sign language is a fully developed natural language with its own grammatical structures and cultural significance.
However, he noted that deaf and hard-of-hearing people continue to face challenges accessing essential services and participating fully in national life.
According to figures cited during the debate, Botswana's deaf community is estimated at 990 people.
Additional 6,480 people are hearing impaired and rely on sign language for daily communication, Parliament was told.
Morolong stated that lack of official recognition creates barriers in education, healthcare, employment, the justice system and other public services.
Furthermore, he argued that recognising sign language would promote inclusion and equality whilst ensuring that deaf citizens can access services in a language they understand.
Amongst the benefits, he highlighted improved access to healthcare, courts, police services, and emergency responses. He also said incorporating sign language into education would improve learning opportunities for deaf students by allowing them to receive instruction in their preferred language.
Assistant Minister of State President and Defence and Security, Maipelo Mophuting-Dikoloti, supported the motion, describing sign language as a language in its own right rather than simply a collection of gestures.
“Sign language is not simply a collection of gestures; it is a fully developed language with its own grammar, structure and cultural significance,” she said.
Mophuting-Dikoloti said the issue was not whether deaf Batswana were capable or willing to participate in society, but whether existing systems allowed them to participate fully.
She painted a picture of a deaf child struggling to follow a lesson in a classroom, a patient unable to explain their condition at a health facility, or a citizen struggling to understand court proceedings or access government services.
“These are everyday situations, and in each of them communication matters,” she said.
She further stated that Botswana was not starting from scratch, pointing to the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2024 and the Botswana Languages Policy in Education as steps already taken towards strengthening the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
However, she acknowledged that significant gaps remain in the availability and accessibility of sign language services.
She proposed a phased and practical approach to implementation, with priority given to sectors where communication is critical, including education, healthcare, justice, police, and frontline government services.
She also called for increased training and accreditation of sign language interpreters and basic sign language training for public officers who regularly interact with members of the public.
She stressed that the deaf community must be central to the process, arguing that policies and services should not be designed for deaf people without involving them.
Other MPs supporting the motion said deaf Batswana had for years been marginalised because of communication barriers, limiting their ability to enjoy their rights and access government services on an equal footing with other citizens.
Legislators also raised concerns about education, saying many deaf learners struggle to progress to higher levels of study because of the shortage of teachers trained in sign language.
The debate had not been concluded by the time Parliament adjourned, but the strong support expressed across the political divide has placed the issue firmly on the national agenda.