Thamsanqa Jantjie calls himself a "great fake" in new video about Nelson Mandela memorial fiasco
Thamsanqa Jantjie calls himself a great fake in new video about Nelson Mandela memorial fiasco

The man who grabbed global attention by signing nonsense at Nelson Mandela's memorial service has spoken out yet again about the incident.

Thamsanqa Jantjie claimed he was exposing the "system" in a new conversation with a group of men captured on camera.

A diplomatic incident was risked when Jantjie, who has spent time in a psychiatric hospital, suffered a bout of mental illness while he was signing for world leaders including David Cameron and Barack Obama at the FNB stadium in Soweto.

The worldwide deaf community was furious when it became obvious that the signing of Jantjie, a member of the ruling ANC party, was incomprehensible and not a true translation of the tributes for South Africa's first black president.

In the new video, Jantjie says: "I am going to fight even if they call me a fake. I am a great fake because I expose what is going on in the government and the system."

Wearing a T-shirt bearing the name of the medical facility to which he was reportedly recently readmitted, Jantjie adds: "The system has been created to put us down. But I will rise. Even of they put me down I will rise. Even if they put me in the sea or river I will keep on rising."

It has also emerged Jantjie was suspected of being involved in a number of serious crimes, including murder and rape.

In the aftermath of the incident, the deputy disabilities minister admitted mistakes had been made at the memorial service.

Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said: "He was procured. He did not just rock up. Did a mistake happen? Yes. He became overwhelmed. He did not use the normal signs. We accept that."

South Africa