The South African Society for Mental Health and Deafness (SASMHD) is deeply saddened by the passing on of Ernest W Kleinschmidt on Monday, 27 November 2017.

He was a well-known leader and activist in the Deaf community and one of the founding members of the South African Society for Mental Health and Deafness. He served on the management and executive committee of SASMHD since 2003 until recently. We will remember him for his sharp intellect and passion for the well-being and human rights of Deaf persons and their families. We will miss his expert and constructive inputs at meetings and conferences to ensure appropriateness and relevance of discussions, resolutions and action plans to meet the needs and challenges of Deaf persons. His wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of Deaf Culture and Sign Language will be dearly missed.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Brenda, his wife, his sons, Armand and Wilhelm and his four grandchildren.

Executive Committee SASMHD: Funeka Sokudela, Paul de Wet, At Smit, Elizabeth Ramokhele and Tshepiso Moeketsi.

30/11/2017



Die Suid-Afrikaanse Vereniging vir Geestesgesondheid en Doofheid (SASMHD) is diep hartseer oor die heengaan van Ernest W Kleinschmidt op Maandag, 27 November 2017.

Hy was ‘n bekende leier en aktivis van die Dowe gemeenskap en een van die stigterslede van die Suid-Afrikaanse Vereniging vir Geestesgesondheid en Doofheid. Hy het sedert 2003 tot onlangs op die bestuurs- en uitvoerende komitee van SASMHD gedien. Ons sal hom onthou vir sy skerp intellek en passie vir die welsyn (well-being) en menseregte van Dowe persone en hul families. Ons sal sy kundige en konstruktiewe insette op vergaderings en konferensies mis. Dit het altyd verseker dat besprekings, besluite en aksieplanne toepaslik en relevant is tot die behoeftes en uitdagings van Dowe persone. Sy rykdom van kennis en kundigheid op die gebied van Dowe Kultuur en Gebaretaal sal grootliks gemis word.

Ons diepe meegevoel gaan uit na Brenda, sy vrou, sy seuns, Armand en Wilhelm en sy vier kleinkinders.

Uitvoerende Komitee SASMHD: Funeka Sokudela, Paul de Wet, At Smit, Elizabeth Ramokhele en Tshepiso Moeketsi.

30/11/2017