Makaton is an alternative and augmentative communication system using signs and symbols with normal grammatical speech. It aims to assist adults and children with communication and learning difficulties to develop speech and literacy.

In 2015 due to the generosity of a private UK benefactor and Rotary Newlands in Cape Town, 12 regional tutors were trained in South Africa. For 15 yrs Maggi Golding was the only licensed tutor in South Africa. During this time she and Christine Koudstaal worked to establish Makaton South Africa with the support of the Makaton Charity UK and Autism South Africa.

It is now difficult to meet the demand for training and Makaton SA hopes to raise enough funds to train more licensed tutors as well as to develop the necessary administrative structures.

The application of Makaton South Africa to be registered as a non profit organisation has now been received by the South African Department of Social Development.

Makaton South Africa has already helped over 700 service organisations to implement Makaton, and this has helped several thousand children and adults.

However, we need your support for our future challenges where we hope to extend Makaton to all the provinces in South Africa and make a difference to the 1.6 million adults and children without a communication system.

Thank you for reading our story. Any donation will be gratefully received.

Desirée Harris and Margaret Golding

Makaton SA

Thank You