Convo South Africa launches the first National Relay Service that allow those living with hearing disabilities to make and receive phone calls

For Immediate Release
1 December 2022

Convo South Africa, a deaf-owned company, launches the first National Relay Service for people living with hearing and/or speech disabilities in South Africa to make and receive phone calls and access voice/video mail. By enabling access to communication services in real-time, deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals, as well as individuals who identify as hearing impaired, gain ownership of their conversations and open new opportunities for them to thrive.

There are 98 million phone subscribers in South Africa, but access to telecommunication services is not the same for all. Approximately 2.8 million South Africans with hearing loss and 235,000 South African Sign Language (SASL) users have zero or limited telecommunications access. These individuals have been deprived of conversations that could have steered the course of their future. Convo South Africa’s goal is simple: create meaningful conversations that transform lives.

Convo South Africa’s National Relay Service is in partnership with MTN, Africa's largest mobile network operator. Together, they launched a 4-month pilot with one hundred deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind participants, as well as individuals who identify as hearing impaired, to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the service before releasing it to the general public. The pilot allows participants to place or receive a call from any hearing individual, connected through a video sign language interpreter or a communication assistant (through text) that will facilitate the calls.

People living with hearing disabilities can now become more independent. They can make an emergency call, not just for themselves but for others, make a medical or mental health counselling appointment, or use telehealth services. They are also able to use Gender-Based Violence, Childline and COVID helplines. The National Relay Services also benefits police and administration officers, emergency personnel, spiritual leaders, medical professionals, business owners, customer support representatives, family members, friends, teachers, and all South Africans who might need to communicate with those living with hearing disabilities in their lives.

"Inspired by South Africa's potential, we at MTN have been dedicated to bridging the digital divide and enabling our customers to be fully connected and realised individuals who can achieve anything they put their minds to. Together with Convo we are excited to be increasing telecommunications access to South Africans with hearing loss.”, says Cornelia Van Heerdin, MTN South Africa's Executive for Customer Experience Operations.

Braam Jordaan, Convo Global’s CEO, is a deaf South African who was awarded the Order of the Baobab by President Ramaphosa in 2019. Through his award, Braam advocated for the National Relay Service in South Africa which led to the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to mandate a regulation requiring telecommunications companies to provide access for people with hearing disabilities. 

“As the largest deaf-owned and deaf-led company, Convo has a unique ability in creating solutions for challenges that we have experienced firsthand. Because we understand.”, said Braam Jordaan, CEO of Convo Global. “Our employees living with hearing disabilities, who are both consumers of our service and are our engineers, work with interpreters in a special partnership that is unmatched. The multi-faceted experiences and perspectives of all our employees help guide Convo’s innovation and shape our global company.”

Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) also lobbied ICASA for many years for Deaf people to have access to telecommunication services. “Creating connections across languages and cultures is an important way to learn more about diverse perspectives and generate new understanding. The partnership between MTN and Convo South Africa will definitely break down the barrier of having access in the telecommunication industry.” said Bruno Druchen, the National Director of DeafSA and an activist for Deaf Rights.

Convo South Africa National Relay Services will be available to the MTN Subscribers after the conclusion of their 4-month pilot with the ultimate goal of establishing a central NRS solution for all mobile network operators. To learn or subscribe to updates on Convo South Africa's services, visit convo.co.za.

South African Sign Language interpreters are bound by a Code of Ethics, ensuring impartiality, confidentiality, linguistic and professional competence, as well as professional growth and development. All calls handled are confidential and personal information is relayed securely.

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About Convo South Africa

Convo South Africa, est. September 2022, is the deaf-owned national relay service provider in South Africa and strives to make telecommunications more accessible for South Africa’s deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind individuals, as well as those who identify as hearing impaired.  Convo South Africa provides individuals living with hearing disabilities real-time telecommunication access through South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters and communication assistants that facilitate their calls. 

Convo South Africa is a part of Convo Global, the international division of Convo Communications.  Convo is the largest deaf-owned company in the world and provides interpreting services in five sign languages across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa.  Driven by the belief that conversation can transform lives, Convo challenges the accessibility status quo with technology and interpreting services.

Media Contact: 
Mr Andries van Niekerk
General Manager 
Phone: +27 73 545 0683
Email: media@convo.co.za
Website: www.convo.co.za

Media Kit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17Zr3GfnTzunONO_qKmkXogfdbpR3wNc9

• An official video announcement from Convo South Africa

• Braam Jordaan signs "telecommunications" in South African Sign Language (SASL) to the President Cyril Ramaphosa when they have a “convo” (pun intended) about telecommunications accessibility in South Africa during the National Order ceremony in 2019.

• Convo South Africa Milestones

• National Relay Service Usage photos

• Diagrams of National Relay Service

• Convo South Africa logo

• QR code for people living with hearing and speech disabilities to sign up for the pilot