Fake Mandela sign language blames 'schizophrenic episode' for gibberish interpretation

Thamsanqa Jantjie, 34, A South African sign language interpreter whom was accused of making up his own signs during a memorial to Nelson Mandela responded to the accusation saying he suffered a schizophrenic episode on stage.

South Africa's leading deaf association had yesterday claimed he was a fake and said he was inventing signs.

Mr. Jantjie said he worked for a company called SA Interpreters which had been hired by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for Tuesday's ceremony at Johannesburg's.

He said he was qualified but started hearing voices in his head and hallucinating, resulting in gestures which made no sense during the memorial.

Mr Jantjie told Johannesburg's Star newspaper: 'There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation. I tried to control myself and not show the world what was going on.

'I am very sorry. It's the situation I found myself in.'

The ANC has also denied knowing about although footage from two large ANC events last year showed him signing on stage next to President Jacob Zuma.

However, in a radio interview Mr Jantjie said he was happy with his performance at the memorial to the anti-apartheid hero, who died a week ago aged 95.

He told Talk Radio 702: 'Absolutely, absolutely. I think that I've been a champion of sign language.'

According to The Sun, Twitter users with sign language knowledge claimed the interpreter repeatedly used signs for 'donkey', 'lightning bolt' and 'prawns’ and 'rocking horses'.

Mr Jantjie has apologised for the incident and said he did not know what triggered the attack, saying he took medication for his schizophrenia.

 

Mandela’s body is laid in state for a third day tomorrow before being flown to the Eastern Cape, where he will be buried on Sunday at his ancestral home in Qunu, 450 miles south of Johannesburg.