Sign Language Interpreter At Nelson Mandela Memorial Didn’t Actually Know Sign Language [Video]

The sign language interpreter on television for the Nelson Mandela memorial didn’t actually know sign language. Yes, that really happened.

Apparently the man was paid $5,000 to be the television sign language interpreter for the nationally televised event. Either no one checked his credentials, or he talks a really good game, because he got the gig… but basically just stood up there and signed gibberish during portions of the memorial.

From Youtube -

The man, who signed for a portion of the televised event at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium was simply making up his own signs, according to the Deaf Federation of South Africa.

The unidentified man seen around the world on television next to leaders like U.S. President Barack Obama ‘was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for,’ said Bruno Druchen, the federation’s national director.

Do you know sign language? Can you tell us what he’s actually saying, if anything?