The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) acts as the national research, information and community action organisation on behalf of ± 600 000 South Africans that are culturally and linguistically Deaf. DeafSA, formerly known as the South African National Council for the Deaf (SANCD), was founded in 1929. And in 1995 the former SANCD was transformed to a new democratically elected organisation, namely, Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) . This resulted in a paradigm shift from an organisation for the Deaf to one of the Deaf. The changes in the constitution and attitudes also meant that decisions about the services and affairs of Deaf people were no longer taken by hearing people on behalf of Deaf people - but by the Deaf people. At present 100% of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of DeafSA are Deaf.

The Dominican nuns at Cabra, Dublin are still renowned throughout the city for their educational and religious work, but in a special manner their name is linked with their work for the deaf. We here in Cape Town were fortunate enough, through the efforts of the late Dr Grimley, Vicar Apostolic of the Western Cape, to welcome those same Dominican Sisters to our shores in 1863. More fortunate was it for the poor, neglected Deaf of the Cape that the first Mother Prioress of these good sisters was Mother Dympna Kinsella, who had worked for years in Cabra for the Deaf and was deeply interested in them. Mother Dympna could not ignore the afflicted persons in the Cape and her maternal heart warmed to them immediately. She took care of them and taught them with the greatest delight and enthusiasm. She also called upon her fellow Sisters to come from Cabra, Ireland and assist her in the Cape with her school for the Deaf. The Dominican School for Deaf Children, Wittebome, is inspired by ...

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