About

About DEAF Friendly

DEAF Friendly is a ministry connecting Deaf individuals with accessible services, businesses, and resources across South Africa. Our mission is to bridge the communication gap between the Deaf community and the hearing world by providing a trusted directory of Deaf-friendly businesses, ministry resources, and support services. We seek out Deaf individuals in towns and rural areas across South Africa and Eswatini, serve them by sharing the Gospel in South African Sign Language, and enable them through training, equipping, and connecting them with accessible services and opportunities.

The ministry is designed for Deaf individuals, their families, churches, service providers, and anyone seeking to engage with or support the Deaf community in Southern Africa. Whether you are looking for a Deaf-friendly business, a sign language interpreter, ministry resources, or ways to contribute, DEAF Friendly serves as your gateway to a more inclusive and accessible society.

Pastor Dirk Venter

As a child of deaf parents, Dirk has been rendering Sign Language Interpreting services since the tender age of 12. As a youngster he interpreted mainly at church and religious events. Today Dirk has vast experience of interacting with Deaf in all walks of life.

Dirk is the founding member and Managing Director of DEAF Friendly. As an ordained pastor of the AFM of SA he is a pioneer of Deaf to Deaf ministry and has been involved with the development, particularising and presentation of Theological, and other, training material for the Deaf. He focuses on Church Planting and the development and continuous support of deaf pastors and those whom they serve.

Dirk has been married to Elize since 1993. The couple has 3 children and the whole family shares his passion and vision. Dirk loves God and has dedicated his life in service of the Deaf.