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Robin Muchetu in Lupane, Chronicle Reporter
WHAT began as a normal National Anthem singing session by children from different schools in Matabeleland North province turned into a sudden spectacle.

A small group among the big choir were not opening their mouths as expected when one is singing.

Instead of standing ramrod while singing the National Anthem before the Presidential Youth Interface rally at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane yesterday, they were waving their hands animatedly.

The children were using sign language, one of the 16 languages recognised by the country’s constitution.

The First Family watched in awe as the pupils from Fatima Primary school conveyed the National Anthem message in signs.

Journalists jostled to interview the pupils’ teacher, Miss Memory Kashuware soon after the singing of the National Anthem.

The pupils were just a handful but they kept the thousands of people in attendance spellbound as they gracefully “signed away” the national anthem.

What captivated onlookers was the way the pupils kept in sync with the band that was playing instruments and the choir that was singing.

They waved their hands from side to side, up and down, changed their facial expressions in line with the stanzas of the National Anthem.

One could easily identify some signs such as the flag as the pupils were seen waving their hands from side to side just like what a flag does while being hoisted up a pole. They waved their hands to signify flowing rivers and the gestures to depict mountains spoke for themselves.

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According to Miss Kashuware, who is a sign language specialist, the pupils are hearing impaired.

“We have 23 students with hearing impairments at the school and they managed to practice and convey the National Anthem message in sign language perfectly,” she said.

She said she learnt this when she was doing her teaching practice at King George VI Memorial School in Bulawayo.

She said she later moved to Fatima Primary where she is teaching special needs pupils.