It’s his story…
–And He’s Sticking to It
THAMSANQA JANTJIE, the fake sign language interpreter who showed up at the Mandela Memorial and pretended to be dishing out sign language to an international audience watching via satellite, is a compelling if not completely bizarre, story.
Apparently, this was not the first time the gentlemen tried to make it big in sign language without actually possessing the skills.
Mandela service sign language interpreter failed in 2012 with ‘self-invented’ gestures
A “fake” sign language interpreter who claimed to suffer an on-stage schizophrenic episode during Nelson Mandela’s memorial service failed to communicate a single word of a speech made by South African President Jacob Zuma more than a year ago.
More than a year ago.
One would have thought that that bit of resume-building on the part of THAMSANQA JANTJIE would have alerted the authorities. But no, THAMSANQA was at the podium nevertheless.
It was reported that the Mandela memorial was organized by the South African government and that JANTJIE had been employed by the African National Congress on at least two previous occasions without incident.
Since it doesn’t appear that JANTJIE knows sign language–at least any organized system of known sign language–that means that on at least two occasions, anyone who was paying attention to JANTJIE was treated to two handfuls of gibberish.
And yet, there he was: failing to perform on a worldwide stage. JANTJIE ought to be the poster child for the Peter Principle: Employees tend to rise to their level of incompetence.
But THAMSNQA wasn’t without his reasons for his epic letdown. He told the Johannesburg’s Star newspaper that he suffered from schizophrenia which overwhelmed him while on stage.
Apparently, he “started hearing voices and hallucinating while on stage.”
Mandela memorial ‘fake’ sign language interpreter defends himself
Jantjie explained how the condition has affected him: “I see angels come to the stadium. Sometimes I will react violently on that place. Sometimes I will see things chasing me. You know, I was in a very very difficult position,” he said.
South Africa’s leading deaf association has pronounced JANTJIE a “fake.” The South African government has admitted that JANTJIE has no professional credentials. As JANTJIE declares that he is a “champion” at sign language, apparently the self-esteem movement is active in South Africa.
So what now? One man’s take:
The fake sign language interpreter at Mandela’s memorial is an irresistible metaphor for our times
Leaving aside the insult to the deaf, however, you have to admire him. Though he has apparently performed this function for the ANC before – could it be that there is something they don’t want the deaf to know? – it still takes courage to appear before the world quite so ill-equipped for what you are employed to do.
So it appears that everyone will have a good laugh–except for the deaf folks–and forget about the whole thing. The news cycle will roll on down the road another 48 hours and the world will largely forget about THAMSANQA JANTJIE.
And that seems to be the state of the world today.
No matter what field–politics, finance, sign language–we’re treated to a never-ending parade of those failing to do their jobs and then claiming incompetence or schizophrenia or something.
Whatever it is, they just can’t do their jobs. And they always have a reason why they can’t do their jobs.
They never run out of reasons.
Which brings us to the saddest realization of all.
We are now living in a world without consequences, especially for those at the top of the food chain–or even for those who are signing for the top of the food chain.
It doesn’t matter if it’s BARACK OBAMA, JOHN BOEHNER, PAUL RYAN.
Or THAMSANQA JANTJIE.
Related articles
- Meet Thamsanqa Jantjie, the Fake Sign Language Interpreter Guy (everyjoe.com)
- You Won’t Believe What Mandela’s Fake Sign Language Interpreter Was Actually Saying (Video) (elitedaily.com)
- Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
- Jimmy Kimmel Interprets Nelson Mandela Memorial’s Fake Sign Language Interpreter (Video) (thewrap.com)
- Mandela memorial sign language interpreter is mentally sick (ambulivictor.wordpress.com)
- ‘Fake’ sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela memorial service blames schizophrenia for gibberish signs (mirror.co.uk)
- The Sign Language Interpreter At Mandela’s Memorial Was ‘A Complete Fraud’ Making Nonsense Gestures (businessinsider.com)
- Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
- Is South Africa’s ‘fake’ sign language interpreter a legacy of apartheid? (washingtonpost.com)
- Deaf People Want to Give Mandela Memorial ‘Fake’ Sign Language Interpreter the Finger (mediabistro.com)
by Mondo Frazier
IMAGE: David Castillo Domenici, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-13. © Mondo Frazier, DBKP and End Times Prophecy Report, 2007-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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