Heralding inclusivity: Joanette Ngwenya’s Sign Lan...

Heralding inclusivity: Joanette Ngwenya’s Sign Language interpreter revolutionises communication for the hearing impaired

Emma Zihonye

Joanette Ngwenya, a brilliant student from Representing the Zimbabwe Science Fair, at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair held in Dallas, Texas, USA after she developed an affordable computer programme which is a sign language interpreter that also has a built-in translator.

As the world celebrates Deaf Awareness Month, this innovation may be a step forward towards inclusivity to the people who have hearing impairment in Zimbabwe and the world.

Communication between hearers and those with the hearing impaired has always been a problem even though Zimbabwean Sign Language is among the 16 official languages in Zimbabwe it is the least used.

Maud Moyo, a Deaf teacher at Emerald Hill School for the Deaf, stated that she had difficulties communicating with health practitioners when she was pregnant.

“When I was pregnant, I didn’t even know that you have to register early and even when I went to the clinic, it was difficult for the nurses to communicate with me as there was no interpreter and our English is also different from the one everyone else speaks which is a disadvantage,” she said.

**Joanette Ngwenya holds the interpreter and cerificate**

Scientist Knowledge Chikundi said Joanette won the Mawhiba Foundation Award at ISEF.

“Joanette was awarded a full university scholarship along with US$400 in cash. Human progress is a function of creativity and ideas as demonstrated by young scientist and engineers like Joanette,” he said on a LinkedIn post.

The significance of Joanette’s project extends beyond her personal success. If implemented on a larger scale, her sign language interpreter with a built-in translator has the potential to greatly enhance communication between the hearing impaired and the able-hearing communities, not only in Zimbabwe but across the globe.

Joanette, who is the Head Girl of Dominican Convent High School, impressed the judges at the Zimbabwe Science Fair back in February, securing her place as the top contender. Her exceptional performance at the national level earned her the opportunity to attend the Regeneron ISEF, where she competed alongside some of the brightest young scientists and engineers from around the world.

Joanette’s accomplishments serve as a testament to the role of creativity, ingenuity, and ideas in driving human progress. Young individuals like her continue to inspire and make significant contributions to the field of science and engineering.