ANC Statement on the Sign Language Interpreter at the Official Memorial Services

Since yesterday, 12 December 2013, the African National Congress has been inundated with enquiries from local and international media regarding the sign language interpreter that provided services at the Official Memorial Service for President Nelson Mandela on the 10th December 2013.

The ANC confirms that the organisation has over the years utilised the services of Mr. Thamsanqa Jantjie. The Official Memorial Service held for President Mandela however was organised by the State and not the African National Congress. The processes that were followed to procure Mr. Jantjie's services were thus government processes and not ANC processes. Because of this, the African National Congress is not in a position to offer a view on how his services were secured by government.

It is important to make the point that, up until yesterday, the African National Congress had not been aware of any of complaints regarding the quality of services, qualifications or reported illnesses of Mr Jantjie. We will follow up the reported correspondence that has supposedly been sent to us in this regard and where necessary act on it. The African National Congress further welcomes the investigation instituted by government into this matter and urges all interested parties to await its outcome in order to ascertain the full facts around this issue. Our common responsibility at this time is ensuring a fitting send-off for the Father of our Nation, Icon of our Struggle Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Comrade Nelson Mandela.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, December 12 2013

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