By Adam Majewski
Minneapolis, MN- As of this past 2 week Nelson Mandela has been announced dead December 5, 2013. His funeral was held recently this week. Nelson Mandela, one of the most notable activists of freedom if not the most notable in the world. A man who fought his way from prison to become the first black president of a nation which should have had a black president since it's inception. The achievements of President Mandela are that of greatness, a man who earned is titles, sacrificed for that which is right, and unified a nation which was divided by their colors.
As this great leader was being memorialized for his work as one of the greatest international leaders who worked for change, a Mr. Thamsanqa Jantjie was there. A claimed interpret for the four hour ceremony, has been deemed the fake interpreter. According to the Deaf Federation of South Africa is not a certified interpreter and has only one employment reference which no one has been able to contact.
Since the ceremony many have been scrambling to find how this could be allowed to happen. The company which was employed to provide the interpreters has never been used for events like this in the past. The African National Congress(ACF) does on a regular base's use sign language interpreters on a regular bases but have never used the company which Mr. Thamsanqa Jantjie stated he worked for. The ACF told CNN that it was the responsibility of the government it's self.
Many in the deaf community around the world are outraged, do to the lack of screening to find a competent Interpreter at such an important event. The main reason for the outrage is because of what Nelson Mandela's achievements mean and the human rights violations to the deaf community.
Mr. Jantjie has recently came forward and has given an apology to the deaf community for any wrong doing they feel he has signed anything wrong. He went on to say that he was not sorry for being there on stage to interpret the event. It was found that during an interview Mr. Jantjie does suffer from schizophrenia, which he stated is controlable with medication. Showing the need for more screening at future events.
Minneapolis, MN- As of this past 2 week Nelson Mandela has been announced dead December 5, 2013. His funeral was held recently this week. Nelson Mandela, one of the most notable activists of freedom if not the most notable in the world. A man who fought his way from prison to become the first black president of a nation which should have had a black president since it's inception. The achievements of President Mandela are that of greatness, a man who earned is titles, sacrificed for that which is right, and unified a nation which was divided by their colors.
As this great leader was being memorialized for his work as one of the greatest international leaders who worked for change, a Mr. Thamsanqa Jantjie was there. A claimed interpret for the four hour ceremony, has been deemed the fake interpreter. According to the Deaf Federation of South Africa is not a certified interpreter and has only one employment reference which no one has been able to contact.
Since the ceremony many have been scrambling to find how this could be allowed to happen. The company which was employed to provide the interpreters has never been used for events like this in the past. The African National Congress(ACF) does on a regular base's use sign language interpreters on a regular bases but have never used the company which Mr. Thamsanqa Jantjie stated he worked for. The ACF told CNN that it was the responsibility of the government it's self.
Many in the deaf community around the world are outraged, do to the lack of screening to find a competent Interpreter at such an important event. The main reason for the outrage is because of what Nelson Mandela's achievements mean and the human rights violations to the deaf community.
Mr. Jantjie has recently came forward and has given an apology to the deaf community for any wrong doing they feel he has signed anything wrong. He went on to say that he was not sorry for being there on stage to interpret the event. It was found that during an interview Mr. Jantjie does suffer from schizophrenia, which he stated is controlable with medication. Showing the need for more screening at future events.
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