<p>This is certainly an odd situation. I have no experience with interpreters, but after watching a video, I must say that he was faking it at the time or else having some inappropriate fun. I cannot link videos on CC, but if you are interested they are easy to find online. I apologize for the long text from the CNN website: </p>
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<p>Waiting anxiously for Saturday Night Live’s opening sketch, which I am positive will cover this situation.</p>
<p>That being said, it sure reflects poorly on SA’s world image.</p>
<p>Oh, that is just a drop in the bucket. Compare that incident to the way in which SA annoyed the entire athletic world by ruining the WC with the vuvuzelas, and it is indeed just SNL fodder.</p>
<p>Government has its fair share of fakirs. It is remarkable that this one got caught in a very high profile situation. Some of the articles I’ve read suggest that he was reported before, but apparently nothing was done.</p>
<p>This might be a sort of Jim McGreevey situation , where people secure positions without regard to their qualifications, but for other reasons (not saying the same as MeGreevey). Its worth someone getting to the bottom of it.</p>
<p>Article in NY Times about it.
<a href=“Interpreter at Mandela Service Says He Is Schizophrenic and Saw Angels Descend - The New York Times”>Interpreter at Mandela Service Says He Is Schizophrenic and Saw Angels Descend - The New York Times;
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<p>Truer words have never been spoken – albeit not on purpose! 
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<p>[Fakir</a> - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary](<a href=“http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fakir]Fakir”>Fakir Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster)</p>
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<p>He claims he saw angels and his employers have vanished. Fake?</p>
<p>Last night’s Tonight show was hilarious. It showed Jantjie as an adept balloon twister artist.</p>
<p>Lol…</p>
<p>I have thought about how funny it would be if the interpreters at the UN were not actually interpreting what was being said, but instead inflammatory statements, but I never really expected it would happen like this. (not at a funeral) Now I also will wait for the SNL sketch and claim I thought of it first! :)</p>
<p>The guy is now saying that he has a history of violence. I am horrified that he was so close to the president.</p>
<p>I use the term in the colloquial sense to indicate a faker who is revered. Merriman may not have caught up to my current level epistemology. :)</p>
<p>I do wish the government fakirs were more itinerant and less permanent though.</p>
<p>SNL decades ago had a skit using a signer that ended up with a pretty funny ending. Apparently there is also a more recent one that I haven’t seen since my bedtime has been moved up.</p>
<p>I didn’t see the tonight show, but Colbert’s take was hilarious!</p>
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<p>just another success story for the secret service… </p>
<p>they’ve been getting some great publicity the last few years</p>
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<p>Presidents! How many world leaders did he come REALLY close to? </p>
<p>The whole thing is sad.</p>
<p>SNL did this skit on signing after Hurricane Sandy</p>
<p>[‘SNL</a>’ Takes On Lydia Callis, Bloomberg’s Sign Language Interpreter, And Chris Christie (VIDEO)](<a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>'SNL' Takes On Lydia Callis, Bloomberg's Sign Language Interpreter, And Chris Christie (VIDEO) | HuffPost Entertainment)</p>
<p>A good friend is training to be a sign language interpreter and is appalled by the South African situation.</p>