K&V
MODE 213
Wen kaartjies vir RAMfest
Dinamiese Denim
SPOOKSPOTTERS Glo jy in geeste?
22
LEES JOU KAMPUS
21 FEBRUARIE 2013 / VOL 3
STUDENTEKOERANT VAN DIE NOORDWES-UNIVERSITEIT SE POTCHEFSTROOMKAMPUS
JAARGANG 67
SMS-LYN 31750 MET WOORD ‘WAPAD’ VOOR
WAPAD@NWU.AC.ZA
Dié bord is opgerig op die Bult waar straatkinders wat bedel ’n ernstige probleem is VERVOLG
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FOTO: MARI SCHEEPERS
Deaf first year student following his dreams
Sounds like success for Qobo MIZAN VAN DER MERWE
A
ll eyes were on Qobo Ningiza during his performance in Veritas and Huis Republiek’s first-year concert, when he sang the own composition in sign language earlier this year. Even though he is deaf, it is clear that he is like any other student on campus. Ningiza was born with normal hearing in his right ear and partially impaired hearing in his left ear. In 2003 he lost all hearing in his left ear and had to learn to rely completely on his right ear. In 2004 while in grade eight, the hearing in his right ear started to deteriorate. “I was in boarding school at the time and when the other kids noticed my hearing difficulty, they started making fun of me,” Ningiza explained. Later that same year he lost his ability to hear completely. “I’ve never heard a sound since then. I have been deaf for almost nine years now.” When he lost his hearing, he stayed at home with his mother and battled to come to terms with it. “In those years my mother hadn’t accepted my deafness either. She is my role model and I admire her courage, even though I don’t tell her that often.” He matriculated in 2011 from a school
Qobo Ningiza on the right with his roommate in Veritas Tumi Mokobe. FOTO: JANDRÉ MEIRING
Sign language is our own language, but sadly it is not an official language yet for deaf students and then struggled to find a tertiary institution to further his studies. He applied at several universities, but was rejected because he did not learn a second language. “Sign language is our own language, but sadly it is not an official language yet.” Mrs. Ananda van der Walt, researcher in the Institutional Language Directory and lecturer in sign language at the NWU-Pukcampus, says Ningiza is the first
deaf student at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus that uses a sign language translator and as far as they know, there has only been one other deaf student on campus. Ningiza is currently studying BA Law and dreams of becoming an attorney. When asked about the biggest obstacle he has had to face, he answered “Although I am provided with a sign language translator Ruanna Reddy, I still find it
hard to participate in class. But I understand everything that is being said. I guess this is part of the routine where I move from a class of all deaf students to a class of all hearing students, but I am optimistic that it will get better with time.” Mrs. Ananda explained that for a deaf student using sign language there has to be a sign language translator as well as at meetings where important information is given. This causes several complications, such as during class the student can’t take notes while he or she is looking at the translator, therefore the lecturer has to show all the information visually. Mrs. Ananda emphasized that “students and lecturers should always remember never to come between two people that are busy ‘signing’ to each other, because for that period of time communication is interrupted and information is lost.” “I communicate with fellow students by means of writing and try to speak here and there, but they have to write for me to understand. Depending on how well I know a person, I am able to read lips here and there,” Ningiza said. According to Ruan Murray the first-years’ House Committee (HK)-member of Veritas,
they made an arrangement with Ningiza to carry a pen and a piece of paper with him for communication purposes. “The rest of the first-years, especially his roommate Tumi Mokobe, ensure that he is always aware and understands what is going on. His floor HK Lebona Sello, learnt the sign language alphabet and spells out the words to communicate with Qobo,” Murray explained. Murray also said that the biggest obstacle and goal for the HK is to ensure that he is part of the group. Fortunately he has a good attitude and takes part by competing in all the activities, including the first-year concert. Dwayne Daniels culture HK of Veritas, spoke about Ningiza’s participation with great enthusiasm: “He was at every audition and with his excellent observation skills he mastered the dance steps easily. Hy is ’n klein yster!” “Ningiza is adapting very well. The most important thing that we need to remember is to not single him out; he does telephone duty with one of his fellow first-years and he is also learning the names of the seniors,” Murray said. Ningiza has come a long way and even though it wasn’t easy, he is now on his way to achieving his dreams.