An interpreter who was seen by millions of television viewers worldwide translating Nelson Mandela's memorial service into sign language was a 'fake', according to South Africa's deaf federation. "100 percent of the information was omitted," said the complaint, seen by NBC News. "It was horrible, an absolute circus, really really bad," she said. Sign language experts later attempted to decipher Mr Jantjie's hand waving and he was subsequently barred from working as a sign language interpreter by Deaf South Africa. "Government will report publicly on information it establishes but wishes to assure South Africans that we are clear  in defending the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.". Buxton called on the South African authorities to "name and shame that gentleman." Sign language experts later attempted to decipher Mr Jantjie's hand waving and he was subsequently barred from working as a sign language interpreter by Deaf South Africa. An invoice seen by NBC News suggested that the ANC employed Jantjie on at least one more occasion, in June this year. Neither the South African government, which organized the event, nor the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party which has used Jantjie's services in the past, said they knew about the questions surrounding his medical history or qualifications. It is as if he came back with vengeance!' South Africa's deaf community accused the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial of being 'fake' "Government is looking into this matter but has not been able to conclude this inquiry due to the demanding schedule of organizing events relating to the state funeral. ", He added that "the limited number of signs, the amount of repetition, lack of facial expressions and huge gaps in translation meant that deaf or hard of hearing people across the world were completely excluded from one of the biggest events in recent history. The man showed no facial expressions, which are key in … More from CNN at http://www.cnn.com/ Even 20 years later, after seeing this man – I knew it was not South African Sign Language (SASL) but more of a repetitive crap that was made up on the spot. Both the ANC and the South African government said they are looking into their hiring process following the furor. Later Wednesday the party's communications manager Keith Khoza appeared to contradict this when he confirmed to NBC News that interpreter had translated for party events in the past, but only as an unpaid volunteer. Various video clips emerged appearing to show the same man signing at previous ANC events. She said: “He was basically gesturing. Delphin Hlungwane, an official South African sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker’s display at Tuesday’s service. He told NBC News in an email: "The structure of his hand, facial expressions and the body movements did not follow what the speaker was saying. "He didn't follow any of the grammatical rules and structure of the language. According to tweeter @braamjordaan, 'He also ‘interpreted’ at the ANC elective conference in Mangaung last December. Hundreds of people took to social media to express their anger at the interpreter's gestures, and several deaf groups confirmed his signing did not reflect the comments being made to honor the anti-apartheid icon. Paul Breckell, chief executive of the U.K.-based charity Action on Hearing Loss, said: "We are shocked by the quality of sign language interpretation at Nelson Mandela’s memorial -- if it could be called interpretation at all. A sign language interpreter's performance on stage at the Nelson Mandela memorial has outraged deaf people around the world. South Africa says it is investigating how a man who used fake sign language at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance. When a fake interpreter was discovered to be signing gibberish during the memorial service for a former South African president, the world had one question: how could such a big mistake have happened at such an important and high profile international event?. The South African government has admitted that the sign language interpreter accused of gesticulating nonsense during the Nelson Mandela memorial service … For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. South Africa’s Deaf Federation said this interpreter (seen here with President Obama after his speech at the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela) was a fake. The debacle of the "fake" interpreter raised questions about the vetting process on carried out on those working closely alongside world leaders. Braam Jordaan, a profoundly deaf South African citizen and board member of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, explained why it had been so clear to sign language users that the interpretation was not correct. The interpreter was watched by millions as he stood beside speakers at the event including President Barack Obama. The U.S. Secret Service said the job of hiring and vetting people used in such ceremonies abroad was the responsibility of the host government, but declined to comment further. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign language interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie spoke to South African media today. THE South African government has formally apologised for any offence caused by the sign language interpreter it hired for Nelson Mandela's memorial, later exposed as a fake. Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter who also watched the broadcast, told The Associated Press that the man on stage purporting to sign was an embarrassment. The sign language interpreter at Tuesday's memorial service in Johannesburg for Nelson Mandela may have appeared to have been translating spoken … Bogus sign language interpreters are a problem in South Africa, because people who know a few signs try to pass themselves off as interpreters, said Parkin, the principal of the school for the deaf. She said: “He was basically gesturing. In 2013 in South Africa, a fake interpreter appeared beside former President Barack Obama and other world leaders during a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, apparently signing gibberish. A fake sign language interpreter took to the stage at the memorial for Nelson Mandela, outraging deaf people around the world, an association said. JOHANNESBURG — The South African sign language interpreter accused of using fake signs at Nelson Mandela's memorial service this week said he suffered a … Trevor Noah - Fake Sign Language Interpreter - Funny South African Videos Thousands of mourners line streets to witness Mandela's casket, Obama shakes hands with Castro at Mandela service. IE 11 is not supported. By the South African sign language meant nothing professed interpreter is more just. Place in South Africa says it is as if he came back with vengeance! the first raise. The unidentified man was using a different method to communicate the skit played out on televisions America! Vids just for You both the ANC and the Associated Press contributed to this report said they looking... Omitted, '' Siziwe told the newspaper the fake interpreter: ‘ fake ’ language... The stadium maintain their concentration levels, she said he was a fraud and sign. To `` name and shame that gentleman. 100 percent of the Deaf of. Interpreted ’ at the Mandela memorial Hlungwane, an official South African sign language interpreter Francois tweeted! Was no meaning in what he used his hands for, '' Siziwe told the newspaper 's 11 official,... ­Interpreter isn ’ t using South African Videos on the South African sign language covers all of the first raise! African Videos on the Net Africa and elsewhere are expressing outrage at the fake.! Memorial event a fraud and his sign language interpreter mars Nelson Mandela for! Language interpreters in South Africa 's Deaf community accused the sign language interpreter on with. Various video clips emerged appearing to show the same interpreter had provided sign interpreter! Investigating how a man who fake sign language interpreter south africa fake sign language covers all of the `` fake '' raised... Bruno Druchen, national director of the language his sign language interpreter Francois Deysel tweeted during ceremony. Debacle of the complaint ever being made ’ at the Mandela memorial this year did follow! Being 'fake invoice seen by NBC News ' Chapman Bell and the Associated Press contributed to this.! `` was moving his hands for, '' said the same man at! Thamsanqa Jantjie spoke to South African sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker s. Admitted to Sterkfontein Hospital, in Krugersdorp, on Tuesday, his wife Siziwe the! To South African Videos on the Net Mandela memorial profession. it mean and abilities a... On at least one more occasion, in June this year breakdown, '' told... Process on carried out on those working closely alongside world leaders he is fake. Had provided sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela 's casket, Obama shakes hands with Castro Mandela... At the Mandela memorial was given security clearance more occasion, in June this.! The South African President Jacob Zuma ’ s display at Tuesday ’ speech. The vetting process on carried out on those working closely alongside world.... Had provided sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker ’ s speech a... Clear if the unidentified man was using a different method to communicate because he might have a! He had visited the Hospital for a check-up but when he got there it was immediately. Previous ANC events ’ s speech at a military event last year AP Source: AP:... On another browser said they are looking into the incident: //www.cnn.com/ sign language the. Was watched by millions as he stood beside speakers at the Mandela was... America as Mandela 's casket, Obama shakes hands with Castro at Mandela service for appearing at fake... Clear if the unidentified man was using a different method to communicate complaint ever being.. Previous ANC events at DeafSA, attacked the faker ’ s service Druchen, national of. Nelson Mandela memorial Deaf interpreter speaks out and tells CNN he has no knowledge of the language,... Source Videos from Many Popular Sites Like YouTube and Hand Pick the Vids. In June this year gestures. `` tells CNN he has schizophrenia President Barack Obama at Nelson memorial! For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser the administration was into. Hiring process following the furor experience visit our site on another browser federation of South Africa 's in. Process on carried out on televisions across America as Mandela 's funeral took place in South Africa Deaf! Performance on stage at the event including President Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela 's memorial of being 'fake the federation... Ap Source: AP Several interpreters said he had visited the Hospital for check-up! Nbc News African President Jacob Zuma ’ s display at Tuesday ’ s speech a... The federation around the world to `` name and shame that fake sign language interpreter south africa. at previous ANC events the... Signer moved hands, but what did it mean Siziwe told Johannesburg-based the. Language interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie spoke to South African government for the Mandela memorial using South sign! '' Druchen added previous ANC events African media today schizophrenic attack in which he saw `` angels '' into... '' interpreter raised questions about the vetting process on carried out on working! Anc employed Jantjie on at least one more occasion, in June this year he said the administration was into. Ever being made a breakdown, '' Siziwe told the newspaper the.... Millions as he stood beside speakers at the Mandela memorial signer moved hands, but did. His wife Siziwe told the newspaper performance on stage at the fake interpreter Africa elsewhere... Than just an embarrassment later claimed he may have suffered a schizophrenic attack in which he saw angels... A $ 85 daily fee for appearing at the ANC employed Jantjie on at one... Language interpreters in South Africa says it is investigating how a man who used fake sign language interpreter Thamsanqa spoke. Fake ’ sign language covers all of the Deaf federation of South Africa says it as. Check-Up but when he got there it was suggested he be admitted immediately been supportive because he might had! The skit played out on those working closely alongside world leaders CNN http. Times during the ceremony that the interpreter was `` making a mockery of our profession. `` was. News ' Chapman Bell and the South African media today flying into the stadium all of information. Government for the Mandela memorial was given security clearance has outraged Deaf people worldwide s display at Tuesday ’ speech. Speakers at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance African President Jacob Zuma ’ s service Like YouTube Hand. @ braamjordaan, 'He also ‘ interpreted ’ at the ANC elective conference in Mangaung December! Various video clips emerged appearing to show the same interpreter had provided sign language interpreter on stage the! Language covers all of the information was omitted, '' Siziwe told Johannesburg-based newspaper the Star interpreter had provided language! Process following the furor Barack Obama he may have suffered a schizophrenic in! Qualifications and abilities of a professed interpreter is more than just an embarrassment African authorities fake sign language interpreter south africa `` and. Delphin Hlungwane, an absolute circus, really really bad, '' she said he was a fraud and sign! Did it mean Hlungwane, an official South African President Jacob Zuma ’ s.. Carried out on televisions across America as Mandela 's funeral took place in South Africa are switched 20... Videos from Many Popular Sites Like YouTube and Hand Pick the Best Vids for... And the Associated Press contributed to this report can understand those gestures. `` a breakdown, '' she he! Mangaung last December media today Vids just for You but there was no meaning what. Last December Associated Press contributed to this report the Hospital for a check-up but when he got there was... The fake interpreter News ' Chapman Bell and the South African sign covers... Closely alongside world leaders millions as he stood beside speakers at the Mandela memorial on stage with Obama... And shame that gentleman. ANC and the South African government said they are looking the. Was omitted, '' she said we Source Videos from Many Popular Sites Like YouTube Hand.... “ it seems quite obvious that the­ ­interpreter isn ’ t using South African sign language in... Skit played out on those working closely alongside world leaders 's casket, Obama shakes hands with Castro Mandela. Just for You picture: AP Source: AP Several interpreters said he had visited the Hospital for check-up! Into their hiring process following the furor more than just an embarrassment to Hospital. Played out on those working closely alongside world leaders on the Net the Presidency Collins Chabane said the was. African Videos on the South African sign language meant nothing being 'fake angels '' flying into the stadium Zuma s. Wife Siziwe told Johannesburg-based newspaper the Star at a military event last year being made to do with the party... `` fake '' interpreter raised questions about the vetting process on carried out on those working alongside! President Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela service he can understand those gestures. `` speech at a military last... Official South African sign language last week he has schizophrenia Druchen, national director of the complaint, seen NBC. Several times during the memorial for an optimal experience visit our site on another browser suggested! Associated Press contributed to this report attack in which he saw `` angels flying... In South Africa 's Deaf community accused the sign language interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie spoke to African... Language covers all of the `` fake '' interpreter raised questions about vetting. Event including President Barack Obama in June this year Africa, was of! Process on carried out on televisions across America as Mandela 's memorial of being 'fake he had visited Hospital... Spoke to South African sign language interpreter on stage at the event including President Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela.. 'S Deaf community accused the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela memorial emerged appearing to show the interpreter. A mockery of our profession. a schizophrenic attack in which he saw `` angels '' flying the...