After the deaf community in South Africa claimed Thamsanqa Jantjie, the sign language interpreter from Nelson Mandela’s memorial service, used meaningless signs, CNN’s David McKenzie (@McKenzieCNN) sat down with Jantjie to discuss these criticisms.
Jantjie stands by his work, telling McKenzie “I have never in my life had anything that said I have interpreted wrong.”
“For the deaf association, if they think that I have done a wrong interpretation, I ask forgiveness,” he added.
Jantjie also revealed he suffers from schizophrenia, which is what drew him to interpreting given his disability.
“I am suffering from schizophrenia, which is controllable. I am under treatment,” he said.