MDSA

The Miss, Mr & Mrs Deaf South Africa Pageant – MDSA in short – is one of the BIIIIIG highlights on our calendar. It is such an incredibly intense experience every time to be involved with the deaf community.

We never cease to be astounded at the ways and means of non-verbal communication: as airboat operators, we cannot talk between the crew or with passengers unless we use headphones - airboats are not stealth craft.

No problem in the deaf community however - from the pilot's seat in the rear, we can see animated discussions taking place while we are under way.

Signing has some huge advantages, after all - a noisy background, or larger distance are no hindrance to keep the communication going.

We are looking forward to be part of the next upcoming pageant week again - this is close to our hearts.

Boating, or specifically airboating, may not be your first thought of adventure when living with an impairment. In the video here shot for SABC2's show Authentiek, host Mathys Roets and his guest Blacky Swarts - a Harties resident - enjoy Airboat Afrika @ Harties. Did I mention Mathys arrived on a motorbike? Looking at the list of things Mathys is undertaking, you'd never believe he lost the usage of his legs in a road accident.