As a complaint given by the CEO of the British Deaf (–foul word(s) removed–)ociation David Buxton with the alleged fake deaf interpreter Thami Jantjie at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service, Jantjie give his official statement with this controversial issue which he was involved.
For David Buxton referring to the sign language gestures of Thami Jantjie he 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.”
According to the latest report, Thami Jantjie claimed he suffered a schizophrenic episode on stage that left him unable to do his job properly.
In a separate interview with Johannesburg Star, Thami Jantjie said, “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.”
Thami Jantjie is just the same man that South African Deaf Groups complained for due to his wrong sign language gestures.
In this matter, Thami Jantjie explained that he heard loud voice and he continued seeing things, and this was the reason why he didn’t done his job well, he also added that he could not leave so he continued to sign things that he himself could not even understand.
“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.
34-year-old Thami Jantjie, was under medication and because of this reason he was removed to his job.
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In order for him to survive he relied on social benefits payment including the occasional interpreting.
On the 5 hour event of Nelson Mandela memorial service, Thami Jantjie was paid for R850 which is equivalent to Php3620.26, and he was so thankful for SA Interpreters- the company which contacted him.
However the company which contacted him named Thoneka Ngqase, from SA Interpreters didn’t give any details in regard with the fake deaf interpreter, but Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said that the government will do investigate this case.