The memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela took place yesterday in Johannesburg where a huge crowd of South Africans and world leaders gathered to honour his passing.
However, the person doing sign language for the speeches delivered by world leaders and dignitaries was not actually using sign language at all. The "sign language" was just simple gestures which the deaf community could not understand at all.
Wilma Newhoudt, the first deaf woman to be elected to the South African Parliament tweeted: ‘ANC-linked interpreter on the stage with dep president of ANC is signing rubbish. He cannot sign. Please get him off’.
An investigation has been launched into how the man could have got the position of signing the speeches without knowing any sign language. The South African government are expected to release a statement with their findings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAt-5VuBCGc
