Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mr Lebogang Maile, will lead the 10th Annual #SilentWalkAndRun on Sunday, 13 September 2026, at Rietvlei Zoo Farm in Johannesburg.
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The event celebrates progress made in addressing challenges faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, while demanding greater inclusion in mainstream society across education, sports, business, and the broader economy.
The #SilentWalk&Run also forms part of the #DeafAwarenessMonth celebrations in South Africa and coincides with the upcoming International Week of Deaf People 2026. This is year’s theme is Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.
“We fully support the 10th Annual #SilentWalkAndRun2026. This programme embodies our commitment to building an inclusive society where no learner, athlete, artist, or citizen is excluded,” says Mr Mpho Nawa, Head of Department at Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
“Sport, education, and the arts break down communication barriers and create real socio-economic opportunities for Deaf youth. Our partnership with the Neema Foundation for the Deaf ensures long-term access, equal development, and dignity for Deaf citizens,” he adds.
The MEC will be joined by CoJ Executive Deputy Mayor Ms Loyiso Masuku and MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Ennie Makhafola. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the City of Johannesburg, African Bank, Safer South Africa Foundation, and Government Employees Medical Scheme also supports the event.
Safer SA Foundation, which has been involved since inception a decade ago, will be sending learners to the event. “Over the past 10 years, we worked hard in partnership with Neema Foundation and other stakeholders to promote safety in Deaf schools and confront social ills like GBV in Deaf communities,” says SSAF CEO Riah Phiyega. “While we have made real progress, significant work remains because the Deaf community remains largely marginalised,” she adds.
Platforms such as #SilentWalkAndRun highlight persistent barriers in communication, education, employment, safety, economic participation and basic service access.
“Neema Foundation links advocacy to concrete access in sports, creative industries, education, and entrepreneurship for young people. South Africa has abundant young talent”
“The challenge lies in building clear paths from raw skill to sustainable work. For Deaf youth, those paths are often blocked, concludes Fatima Cele Co-Founder of Neema Foundation for the Deaf”.
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