Sign Language anyone.....................

[Lucky_Lou]

Wonder what our American friends made of Obama,s "South African Signer"..... major gaff or what.
Lou

[Barry]

I have enormous respect for Mandela.

It's doubtful South Africa will ever again play host to so many world leaders or have so much concentrated media attention. I think they missed an opportunity to really shine on the world stage. Obama excepted too many dull speeches.

[k_enn]

I think he can be give one sign



       x
       x
   x xxx x
   x xxx x
x x xxx x    x
x x xxx x   x
x x xxx x xx
xxxxxxxxxx

[Motu]

Seems everyone thinks it's funny, even the deaf people....but the Americans appear to be upset?  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

....but the Americans appear to be upset?  

Not this one.

[Ed Miller]

I couldn't understand his signs, but I didn't expect to understand South African sign language.  Actually I don't understand American Sign Language very well, as my wife uses her voice and won't sign to me.  I thought it was kind of funny.

[Lucky_Lou]

It was funny but must have serious security implications...........
Lou

[steve hawkins]

It just shows what an immature 'mickey mouse' organization the ANC really is.

I hope they sort themselves out soon.  And the country for that matter.  

A lot of people have paid the ultimate price to get them where they are today.

They can still go the same way as Zim.....

[k_enn]

It may have been funny, but IMO that is so out of place at a memorial service as to be disrespectful.  Also, it seems that the lack of adequate screening of the interpreter was a major breach of security, which should not be taken lightly.  

[Luca]

I don't see a whole lot of humor in the situation, just the disrespect.  Mandela was one of the world's most respected and loved people... and even the less savory types deserve a decent funeral.  What would you think if a speaker stood at the podium during the funeral and spat into the microphone, "flim bibbity bobby zippity doo dah bo grabba touk do grabba"?  What if he did the same thing at the funeral of a Battle of Britain veteran or of a young soldier brought home in a coffin?

[Lucky_Lou]

I don't see a whole lot of humor in the situation, just the disrespect.  Mandela was one of the world's most respected and loved people... and even the less savory types deserve a decent funeral.  What would you think if a speaker stood at the podium during the funeral and spat into the microphone, "flim bibbity bobby zippity doo dah bo grabba touk do grabba"?  What if he did the same thing at the funeral of a Battle of Britain veteran or of a young soldier brought home in a coffin?

If the guy had been from any other country than S A it would have caused a ruckus that said most funerals do not last 7 days and have folk queuing up to increase there own profiles at least the crowd did the smart thing singing and dancing throughout the speeches..... I had a some respect for Mandela but his ignorance during his Presidency  allowed Aids to become epidemic a fact that is being conveniently supressed.
Lou

[balibeemer]

That's Africa for you - not as bad as this place that I lve tho'. Sign language normally cause road rage incidents!

[nhmaf]

I agree - it was South Africa's opportunity to demonstrate that they were a "real" country and could put on their big boy pants - but - in my opinion, it just illustrated the fact that they still don't know how to do things properly and will remain relegated to the children's table for some time yet.   I also tend to agree that it was extraordinarily disrespectful to have this occur at a service for a man who is so honored, respected, and did so much for their country and as a global leader for peace and reconstruction.

I understand very little sign language anyway, but a friend of mine is a signer for some nearby universities and she thought it was unprofessional, at best.

[Lucky_Lou]

I understand very little sign language anyway, but a friend of mine is a signer for some nearby universities and she thought it was unprofessional, at best.

It was reported here.... in the papers so it MUST be true !!!!! that the guy had a criminal record and was implicated in some serious gang violence

Quote....He told the Associated Press he had often been violent in the past, and had been due to attend a routine mental health check-up on the day of the memorial, to determine whether he needed to be admitted to hospital.
He told the BBC that during the event he had had a breakdown, and started hallucinating that angels were coming down into the crowd

How he got security clearance is beyond me.... Lou

[Danie]

Well, I only saw this thread now - but yes, the interpreter incident has been an enormous embarrassment for many South Africans..... And as usual, our current government did not accept any responsibility for appointing that guy as interpreter at such an important event..

But on a positive note - although the interpreter is just the tip of a local iceberg, at least the outside world  started taking note about what is really going on in our country. Since our former Pres. Mandela left the political scene a couple of years ago,  almost all acceptable standards simply started falling apart.

I fully agree - the ANC is indeed nothing but a "Micky Mouse Party" - but sadly, this is Africa - and during next months elections the majority of our local population will vote for the ANC again.

Some interesting notes which are doing the rounds at the moment:

Mandela's cabinet consisted of 28 ministers and their deputies.

Thabo Mbeki cabinet consisted of 28 ministers and their deputies.

Jacob Zuma cabinet consists of 64 ministers and 64 deputy ministers.

Each minister has 8 bodyguards
Each minister has 2 mansions in Cape Town and in Pretoria.

Each deputy minister has 8 bodyguards.
Each deputy minister has 2 mansions in Cape Town and in Pretoria.

In 2009 when the Zuma government took over, auditor general reported a loss of R8 billion.

In 2010 we lost R15 billion.
In 2011 n 2012 we lost R20 billion.
In 2013 we lost R31 billion.

America has about 400 million citizens and Obama cabinet consists of only 20 people.

South Africa has 51 million citizens and is the only country in the world that has the biggest cabinet that consist of 128 people.

Our debt is R1 trillion.

As you vote on May 7th, think about the billions we lose every year, monies that could have created jobs.

South Africa, how much more are we prepared to lose under Zuma.
If he retains his presidency on May 7th, do we have another 5 years to remain under this man?