The South African government has congratulated the country’s first deaf law graduate Qobo Ningiza.

“The government sends warm congratulations to Eastern Cape-born Qobo Ningiza who will be South Africa’s first deaf law graduate when he graduates with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at the University of Cape Town today,” reads a statement issued by Phumla Williams, the Acting Director General of Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS).

“Ningiza is an inspiration to many of us and serves as proof that if as individuals we focus on our abilities instead of focusing on the obstacles, we can achieve anything in life. Ningiza had to overcome many hurdles in his endeavour to register for a law degree including navigating a study path that relies heavily on verbal teaching and interactions.”

The government also challenged all sectors to join the disability sector of South Africa on a journey towards the full empowerment of people with disabilities.

“Cabinet identified the Presidential Working Group on Disability as one of the fora that are critical to advancing a transformative agenda in a collaborative and inclusive manner.

“The rights of persons with disabilities include implementation of policies and strategies for, among other things, the hiring of persons with disabilities, appropriate training and skills development programmes and ensuring easy access into workplaces and other buildings. The whole of society must contribute towards the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities,” reads part of the statement.”