Thousands filled Johannesburg’s biggest stadium yesterday to hear dignitaries from around the world memorialize Nelson Mandela. The event was broadcast around the globe. But, deaf Africans in the audience at Johannesburg say that the interpreter was a fake and did not know the proper gestures for Mandela and other African dignitaries.
The Deaf Federation of South Africa is saying that the interpreter for yesterday’s memorial service was a fake, reports >a href= http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-11/mandela-service-sign-language-translator-accused-of-being-fake-.html. He did not use the proper gestures for many African names and many of his gestures had no meaning. He also did not use facial expressions, which are an important part of South African sign language. >a href= http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/11/world/africa/mandela-memorial-fake-intepreter/index.html is reporting that many in the deaf community complained during the service, saying that the unnamed interpreter was a mockery to the profession and should be taken off the stage.
Officials are saying that the situation is being taken seriously and that there is an ongoing investigation into the matter.