S. African Thamsanqa Jantjie, the Sign Language Interpreter for Mandela Memorial Speaks Out (679 hits)
The man, named as local media as Thamsanqa Jantjie, said he is unsure whether it was the magnitude of what he was doing or the happiness he felt throughout the day that might have triggered the schizophrenic episode.
“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," he told the Johannesburg Star.
David Buxton, the CEO of the British Deaf Association, has said he was purely making “childish hand gestures and clapping, it was as if he had never learnt a word of sign language in his life”.
South African deaf groups say they have complained about the man's work before.
Mr Jantjie said that during his episode, he continued seeing things and hearing loud voices in his head that impaired his ability to hear well and interpret what was being said.
He told the newspaper that he could not leave, so stayed on and continued to sign things that did not make sense.
“Life is unfair. This illness is unfair. Anyone who doesn’t understand this illness will think that I’m just making this up,” he said.
The 34-year-old said he takes medication for the condition but was removed from a job because of it several years ago. He said he relies on social benefits payments to survive, along with the occasional interpreting job.
Pictures in a document at his house reportedly show him on duty next to various people, including President Jacob Zuma.
Mr Jantjie said he felt honoured when SA Interpreters, the company that contract him, told him on Monday that he would interpret at the historic memorial service.
He said he was paid R850 for the five-hour event.
The office of the Presidency has since contacted him to find out who recommended him for the job, he said. Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said the government would investigate what happened.
Thoneka Ngqase, from SA Interpreters, declined to comment to The Star.
Jen, I've seen more detailed of his story, I'm glad he had taken his medication. He did no harm, and that's what's really important. I'm glad all around him was safe. Who can really say he didn't see angels? Maybe they kept watch and his attention, that he couldn't become violent.
Friday, December 13th 2013 at 7:49AM
MIISRAEL Bride
Miisrael,
He may not have injured anyone, but he did cause emotional distress for the deaf community signing jibberish.
