Nelson Mandela’s funeral had another protagonist apart from the deceased, Thamsanga Jantjies, he was the sign language interpreter who translated the speeches of various leaders for all deaf people, including that of President Barack Obama. To the “flirtation” with the Danish prime minister is added his speech, also marked by the anecdote of this interpreter.
The interpreter who has been defined as an impostor by the South African Association of the Deaf (DeafSA). Thamsanga Jantjies, has decided to give explanations about his performance and has assured that he suffered a schizophrenic episode during the act, the newspaper ‘Cape Times’ has reported in its digital edition.
The controversial interpreter, whose translation work has been widely criticized, has indicated that he is not sure if he suffered that episode of schizophrenia because of the importance of the event he was in or because of the emotion and happiness he felt that day for being there in the stadium.
Jantjies, who takes medication to treat his schizophrenia, has said that at one point during the funeral, he lost concentration, started hearing voices and started having hallucinations. For this, he has apologized for his actions and has assured that he was “alone in a dangerous situation” and that there was nothing he could do to overcome it.
The controversial interpreter has also spoken for the South African radio 702, in an interview in which he has defended his professional career as a sign language translator. He has said that he works for the company SA Intérpretes and that he is a veteran in this sector.
Jantjies has said that the South African Association of the Deaf should have told him earlier that he was not doing his job well. “If he was interpreting it incorrectly, why didn’t they bring it up?” she has claimed. “I am absolutely happy with my work. I have been a champion in sign language. I have performed in many great acts,” he stressed.
In this sense, he has assured that he has worked in many great events, such as the funeral for the South African anti-apartheid activist Walter Sisulu, and has admitted that he feels very sad about the reactions that have been against his work.
On Wednesday afternoon, hours after the South African Association of the Deaf publicly denounced Jantjies as an impostor and his work on Soweto’s funeral meaningless, the South African government vowed to investigate the “alleged misuse of sign language”. during the event on Tuesday.
The Minister of the Presidency, Collins Chabane, stated that the Government takes note of the “concerns” expressed by the “alleged incorrect use of sign language” and that “they will examine the matter”.
“We have not been able to conclude the investigation due to the demanding organization of events for the state funeral,” said the minister, in statements broadcast by the state television channel SABC.