CAPE TOWN - A group of Capetonians with differing degrees of hearing loss celebrated Diversity Day with Afrikaans singer
and songwriter Jannie du Toit during a special concert on Thursday.
Among the the group were people who were born with a hearing loss, and those who experienced progressively worsening hearing. They were treated to a special Du Toit concert at the Metronome Theatre in Belville.
The concert, put together by Metronome Theatre founder and owner, Alwena van der Vyver, the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities (NCPPDSA) and the Association for Hearing Loss Accessibility and Development (AHLAD), made use of the theatre’s newly-installed induction loop system which opened up a whole new frontier for people who rely on hearing aids.
An induction loop system, Jonene Johnson, MC at the event and a parent of a child with a hearing loss, explained, “allows users with a telecoil function on their hearing device, or a user wearing an induction loop receiver, to listen to sound transmitted through a magnetic field, without the interference of background noise”.
Two South African sign language interpreters and two lip speakers were present at the event to ensure that the event was accessible to all.
NCPPDSA Director, Therina Wentzel, said that not all people with a hearing loss could speak or sign, as there were varying degrees of hearing loss, which could see a person using sign language, while others chose to speak or make use of lip speaking services.
On celebrating world Diversity Day which falls on May 21, Wentzel said: “It is wonderful to see high level artists supporting diversity within the hearing loss community and opening up music for people with hearing loss.”
Fanie du Toit, a member of the audience and NCPPDSA Public Education Awareness Manager said he loved the concert. A bilateral cochlear implant recipient, Du Toit said he loved the induction loop system, and that for him, the concert signified freedom in breaking barriers to music.
“It was impossible for me to hear music for 25 years and now we are going to give this opportunity to people that can listen to music,” he said.
After performing at the concert, Jannie du Toit, said he was moved, performing for a unique, diverse audience.
“I am grateful for the opportunity because I always say I am grateful for a challenge,” he said. “You can have all the talent in the world, but if you have no opportunity, then there is no use in having the talent. People in this audience are more intently listening to the music than the normal audience. I feel it intensely and it moves me when I convey my message as they are listening to the music, wondering what it is about.”
ANA