Media Coverage
Media Coverage
Silent Walk Amplifies Voices of the Deaf Community in Joburg
Johannesburg, 22 September 2025 — The 9th Annual Silent Walk & Run was held on Saturday, 20 September 2025, at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia. The event, which forms part of the International Month for Deaf People, aimed to shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
22 September 2025
Our 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run was Nothing Short of Extraordinary
Johannesburg, 22 September 2025 — Our 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run was nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we walked, jogged, ran, laughed, and most importantly, we stood united. We are deeply grateful to every participant who joined us, to the incredible teams working tirelessly behind the scenes, and to our generous partners whose support made this event possible.
22 September 2025
GEMS supported the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run which took place on Saturday, 20 September 2025
22 September 2025
Over 2,000 participants expected at the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run 2025
Johannesburg, 21 September 2025 – The streets of Johannesburg will once again come alive as more than 2,000 participants join the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run this Saturday, 20 September 2025 at Marks Park, Emmarentia. The event is a flagship moment in Deaf Awareness Month, a time dedicated to breaking down barriers, amplifying inclusion, and celebrating the rich culture of the Deaf community.
21 September 2025
Deaf Awareness Month 2025: South Africa walks, signs, and speaks for inclusion
Johannesburg, 19 September 2025 — on Saturday, 20 September 2025, Johannesburg streets will fill with silent strength as more than 2 000 people gather at Marks Park, Emmarentia, for the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run. Organised by Neema Foundation for the Deaf, in partnership with City of Johannesburg and powered by Africanbank, the event stands as the nations largest gathering of Deaf and hearing communities in unity.
19 September 2025
Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike to Lead 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run During Deaf Awareness Month
Johannesburg, 17 September 2025 — The vibrant streets of Johannesburg will witness a remarkable display of unity and inclusion this Saturday, 20 September 2025, as over 2,000 participants gather for the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run at Marks Park, Emmarentia. This flagship event, taking place during Deaf Awareness Month, represents the largest gathering of deaf and hearing communities in South Africa…
17 September 2025
This year’s Annual Silent Walk & Run will take place on 20 September 2025 at Marks Park Sports Club in Johannesburg
Johannesburg, 05 September 2025 — This year’s annual Silent Walk & Run will take place on 20 September 2025 at Marks Park Sports Club in Johannesburg. The Silent Walk & Run is a family-friendly event where members of the hearing community can gain deeper insight into the experiences of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. You too can be part of this initiative by clicking here: foundationneema.org/silent-walk-ru
05 September 2025
Neema Foundation for the Deaf Announces Opening of Entries for the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run
Johannesburg, 08 August 2025 — Organisers of the #SilentWalk&Run have announced the opening of entries for the 9th annual #SilentWalk&Run, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 20 September, at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 20 September at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. The event attracted more than 2 500 participants last year and it is expected to continue to grow with each year, says Neema Foundation for the Deaf.
08 August 2025
Neema Foundation for the Deaf Empowers 67 Deaf Learners with Entrepreneurial Skills in Groundbreaking Mandela Day Commemoration Masterclass
Johannesburg, 30 July 2025 — In a move towards economic inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg’s Business School Entrepreneurship Centre, today hosted an inaugural Mandela Day commemoration Masterclass on Entrepreneurship for Deaf learners.
30 July 2025
Neema Foundation Announces Opening of Entries
Johannesburg, 29 July 2025 — Organisers of the #SilentWalk&Run are pleased to announce the opening of entries for the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run, scheduled to take place on Saturday, 20 September 2025, at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. Tickets to the event can be purchased at https://foundationneema.org/silent-walk-run/. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 20 September 2025 at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg and attracted more than 2500 participants last year and it is expected to continue to grow with each year.
29 July 2025
Neema Foundation Offers Makhadzi a Free Deaf Sensitisation & SA Sign Language Masterclass
Neema Foundation for the Deaf has extended an invitation to South African artist Ms. Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, popularly known as Makhadzi, and her team to participate in a free Deaf Sensitization & SA Sign Language (SASL) Masterclass.
19 September 2024
Makhadzi Angers Deaf Community - Makhadzi is set to learn Sign Language
The Venda pop singer has been invited to take part in learning sign language for free. This comes after the Mapara hitmaker was seen making inaccurate and inappropriate sign language gestures in her new music video titled Jealous Down. According to the Neema Foundation for the Deaf, there’s been an outcry from the deaf community regarding the music video. Members found the sign language gestures offensive and disrespectful.
18 September 2024
#SilentWalk&Run shines light on Deaf community, spotlighting GBV and Inclusivity
In partnership with African Bank, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf hosted the 8th Silent Walk and Run at Marks Parks Sports Club at Emmarentia, in Johannesburg, on Saturday, for Deaf Awareness Month. Launched in 2016, the Silent Walk and Run is annually commemorated in September, where participants get to “walk a mile in the shoes” of the deaf community, by completing a 5km route.
16 September 2024
Record attendance #SilentWalk&Run to promotes Deaf Awareness
The event drew a diverse crowd of learners from local schools for the deaf, including Ekurhuleni, Sizwile, St Vincent, and Dominican schools, as well as Filadelfia Secondary and MCK Special School. Organised by the Neema Foundation for the Deaf, this year’s event was distinguished by its impressive turnout and the presence of the Sport, Arts, and Culture Deputy Minister Peace Mabe…
16 September 2024
Makhadzi gets offered a free Sign Language Masterclass after controversial video
Amends can be made between award-winning artist Makhadzi and those who belong to the hearing-impaired community, as efforts have been made to assist the singer in gaining more knowledge about sign language. Following a recent clip in which the singer was accused of mocking members of the deaf community, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf…
16 September 2024
SA’s Deaf Community Gets WhatsApp Chatbot For Real-Time Information
In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf has launched a WhatsApp Chatbot (number 060 019 1981), a groundbreaking platform designed to provide the Deaf community with real-time access to essential information. This innovative tool was developed with the support of African Bank and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund1.
16 September 2024
Makhadzi Offered Free Deaf Classes After Mocking the Community in Her 'Jealous Down' Music Video
16 September 2024
Mkhadzi invited to participate in a Sign Language Masterclass
The Neema Foundation for the Deaf has invited Limpopo-born artist Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, popularly known as Makhadzi and her team to participate in a free Deaf Sensitization and South African Sign Language Masterclass. The invitation comes after the deaf community expressed concern over Makhadzi’s recent music video…
16 September 2024
Neema Foundation for the Deaf offers Makhadzi a free deaf sensitisation and sign language master class
Neema Foundation for the Deaf, an organisation that advocates for the rights and dignity of the deaf community, has extended an invitation for award-winning musician Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, popularly known as Makhadzi, and her team to participate in a free deaf…
16 September 2024
Silent Walk Shines Light on Deaf Community, Spotlighting GBV and Inclusivity
In partnership with Africanbank, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf hosted the 8th Silent Walk and Run at Marks Parks Sports Club at Emmarentia, in Johannesburg, on Saturday, for Deaf Awareness Month.
15 September 2024
Sign Up for the 8th Annual #SilentWalk&Run
Do not miss out on South Africa’s largest and most popular event uniting the deaf and hearing communities. Register now for the 8th annual #SilentWalk&Run, organised by Neema Foundation for the Deaf, to promote Deaf inclusion, raise awareness, and support Deaf victims of GBV.
14 September 2024
Deaf Awareness Month | Hoping for GBV issues and other challenges heard
JOHANNESBURG – Often born to families that are hearing, navigating a world with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing can be taxing. This challenge is often worsened when faced with social ills, like gender-based violence.
14 September 2024
Neema Foundation's new WhatsApp Chatbot transforms support for the Deaf Community
In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, Neema Foundation for the Deaf has launched a WhatsApp Chatbot, which is reachable on 060 019 1981. It is a digital platform designed to provide the Deaf community with real-time access to vital information and services…
13 September 2024
#SilentWalk&Run, 14 September, Marks Park Sports Club
ERA encourages you to support this walk by buying a ticket and participating in the walk as it is for a good cause – they are raising awareness for deaf and hearing-impaired people. (see the entrance form on this page)
05 September 2024
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture to Attend #SilentWalk&Run Event
The Neema Foundation for the Deaf is pleased to announce that the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, will be attending the upcoming #SilentWalk&Run event on the 14th September 2024 at Marks Park, Emmarentia.
03 September 2024
Miss SA: Le Roux’s win ‘step toward greater representation, inclusivity’
Mia le Roux’s victory as Miss South Africa 2024 has ignited hope for people with disabilities across the country, challenging societal norms and breaking down barriers that have long marginalised the disabled community.
13 August 2024
Neema Foundation Roundtable for the Deaf society
Warm sun rays of hope and dialogues reflected upon the Sizwile School of the Deaf on Saturday 11 May 2024 as the Neema Foundation for the Deaf descended to Dobsonville to run sessions pertinent to pressing issues…
14 May 2024
Efforts to Combat Violence and Support Deaf community
LOCAL NEWS | Neema Foundation for the Deaf kickstarts its first series of Family Conflict & Gender-Based Violence workshops in Soshanguve at Filadelfia Secondary School, Attendance is free.
03 May 2024
Foundation to Celebrate Deaf Month in Style!
WITH the government’s decision to make SA Sign Language (SASL) the 12th official language, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf will celebrate September Deaf Awareness Month.
19 September 2023
7th Annual #SilentWalk&Run to Celebrate SA Sign Language as the 12th Official Language
As part of activities aimed at commemorating the International Week of
1 September 2023
7th Annual Silent Walk & Run to Celebrate SA Sign Language as the 12th Official Language
The Deaf-and-hard-of-hearing community will use September Deaf Awareness Month to continue celebrating the
23 August 2023
7th Annual #SilentWalk&Run To Celebrate SA Sign Language As...
TAs part of activities aimed at commemorating the International Week of Deaf People and raising awareness…
23 August 2023
Foundation Shows Deaf Community Love
#SILENTWALK&RUN was a success yet again this year!
This initiative takes place in September annually to raise awareness about …
19 September 2022
GBV Support for the Deaf Community
Gender-based violence (GBV) survivors in the deaf community often face difficulties when trying to access help due to the language barrier they encounter.
1 July 2021
6th Annual #SilentWalk&Run...
As part of commemorating the International Week of Deaf People, members of the hearing-impaired community gathered …
19 September 2022
United in Our Differences
Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing people took part in a 5km walk in Marks Park, Emmarentia as part of this year’s nationwide #SilentWalkAndRun …
19 September 2022
Silent Walk to Raise Awareness of GBV in ...
The sixth annual Silent Walk and Run will be held in Johannesburg on Saturday. The initiative commemorates International Week of Deaf …
19 September 2022
Judith Madi’s Death is a Huge Loss to the Deaf..
Judith Khethiwe Madi, a well-known deaf activist and CEO of Neema Foundation for the Deaf, passed away at the end of last month after a short illness…
21 April 2022
Lack of SA Sign Language Interpreters...
City Press reports that there are nine permanently employed and 20 casual SA Sign Language interpreters in all 864 courts in SA…
22 November 2022
Media Links
Press Releases
Over 2,000 participants expected at the 9th Annual #SilentWalk&Run 2025
18 September 2025
September #DeafAwarenessMonth Puts Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Spotlight
29 August 2025
Neema Foundation Offers Makhadzi a Free Deaf Sensitisation & SA Sign Language MasterClass
15 September 2024
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture to Attend #SilentWalk&Run Event Telkom Pledges Its Support for the #SilentWalk&Run
03 September 2024
Neema Foundation for the Deaf Announces Opening of Entries for 8th Annual #SilentWalk&Run
24 July 2024
Neema Foundation Advocacy for Deaf Students at a Pretoria College
01 July 2024
Nationwide Efforts to Combat Violence and Support Deaf Community Continues 09 May 2024
09 May 2024
Nationwide Efforts to Combat Violence and Support Deaf Community
04 May 2024
