September is a national deaf awareness month, a time to highlight and honour the unique needs, struggles, and vibrant culture of the hearing impaired. 

It is also the month where police officers from various parts of the country gathered in Rundu for a five-day basic sign language course.

The police officers' sign language training included, among others, learning about the manual alphabet, greeting signs, and nouns and pronouns. 

The 30 law enforcement officers described their sign language training as educative, empowering, and long overdue. 

Some of the trainees described the sign language training as humbling.

While others cannot wait to communicate with the hearing impaired.

A message read on behalf of the Inspector General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, encouraged the trainees to practice what they have learnt and to share their new-found knowledge with their other colleagues. 

Almost all of the 30 trainees said they will pursue an advanced course in sign language.