South African signer claims schizophrenic episode during memorial
- 10 years ago
That's South African sign language interpreter Thamasanqa Jantjie.
He's caused a global stir by signing jiberish during Nelson Mandela's memorial service as the world watched.
On Thursday, the 34-year-old told various South African media he's currently being treated for schizophrenia and that he had a psychotic episode while on stage, hearing voices and hallucinating.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SING LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, THAMSANQA JANTJIE, SAYING:
"I was faced with a very, very difficult situation under my medical condition, which my life was on danger because you know it was the security, it was very tight and then I have come to a point where I feel that now I am sick."
The government's played down security concerns that Jantjie shared the podium with world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama.
South Africa's minister for people with disabilities.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISA
He's caused a global stir by signing jiberish during Nelson Mandela's memorial service as the world watched.
On Thursday, the 34-year-old told various South African media he's currently being treated for schizophrenia and that he had a psychotic episode while on stage, hearing voices and hallucinating.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SING LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, THAMSANQA JANTJIE, SAYING:
"I was faced with a very, very difficult situation under my medical condition, which my life was on danger because you know it was the security, it was very tight and then I have come to a point where I feel that now I am sick."
The government's played down security concerns that Jantjie shared the podium with world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama.
South Africa's minister for people with disabilities.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISA