New doors open for Deaf youth
- Wits University
Wits internship aimed at Deaf youth promotes inclusion and artistic expression of the Deaf community.
The Wits Centre for Deaf Studies (CFDS) launched a groundbreaking Film Production Internship for Deaf youth during Deaf Awareness month.
The CFDS at the University of the Witwatersrand celebrated the start of the September, known as Deaf Awareness month, by launching the first Film Production Internship for young Deaf people in South Africa. Designed exclusively to work with the unique strengths and learning strategies of Deaf interns, this six-month internship has been made possible through a generous grant from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
With this fully immersive and interactive internship, the CFDS aims to equip 15 Deaf interns with the skills necessary to step into the world of film production, including the journey from concept to story, script adaptation and videography to post-production.
The internship will culminate in a short-film which will premiere at the CFDS’ Deaf Film and Art Festival scheduled for March 2025, which will also be funded by the generous NLC grant.
The Festival will celebrate the unique nature of Deaf art, theatre, literature and humour through an array of live exhibitions, short films and hands-on presentations and workshops by national and international Deaf experts.
With a strong commitment to advocacy, education and community empowerment, the CFDS will also host experiential training opportunities for South African Sign Language interpreters ahead of the Festival, in order to ensure that Deaf South Africans can fully access the Arts.
“This is a monumental step towards inclusion, empowerment, and artistic expression for the Deaf community. We are grateful to the NLC for their grant,” says Prof. Claudine Storbeck, Associate Professor at the Centre for Deaf Studies.
Project lead and film producer Nenio Mbazima, who is member of the Deaf community, believes that the internship will open doors for the youth. "The goal is for them to not only gain entrepreneurial skills but also be able to find employment in video production companies, where their Deafness will not be seen as a limitation, but rather as an asset. Through this project, I want them to have the confidence and skills to thrive in the media industry and contribute to greater inclusivity in the workforce."
With over 25 years of pioneering research, teaching and innovation, the Centre is well suited for this mission of charting new territories and programmes. It is recognised as a leading institution in South Africa, dedicated to promoting excellence in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.
雷速体育_雷速体育直播 the National Lotteries Commission
The NLC relies on proceeds from the National Lottery. Available funds are distributed to the registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts, culture, and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLC contributes to South Africa’s development.