Sign language translator at Nelson Mandela's memorial was a FAKE: South Africa's deaf federation confirms his movements had 'no meaning'
- Standing on stage during televised event at the FNB stadium
- Some members of the deaf community took to Twitter to express outrage
An interpreter who was seen by millions of television viewers worldwide translating Nelson Mandela's memorial service into sign language was a 'fake', according to South Africa's deaf federation.
The unidentified man, who was broadcast standing alongside world leaders including US President Barack Obama, was making up his own signs, according to the Deaf Federation of South Africa.
With the eyes of the world watching the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, the interpreter was 'moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for,' claimed Bruno Druchen, the federation's national director.
The embarrassing claim comes after yesterday's ceremony which saw crowds in the third empty stadium boo the country's president Jacob Zuma.
Hotuba; Rais wa Marekani Akihutubia umma huku mkalimani anayesemwa kuwa ni fake akiwa pembeni.
Claims: Braam Jordaan, a deaf South African and board member of the World Deaf Federation, claimed the man, who signed for a portion of the ceremony including Barack Obama's speech, was simply making up his own signs
Tribute: Military officers carry the casket of former president Nelson Mandela into the Union Buildings in the South African capital Pretoria, the seat of government where he will lie in state for three days
Citizens stood on top of bollards and clamoured to film the historic passing of the cortege on their phone.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni