World / interpreters Mandela Interpreter Admitted to Psych Ward Wife: 'He might have had a breakdown' By Arden Dier, Newser Staff Posted Dec 19, 2013 7:01 AM CST Copied In this file photo from Dec.10, 2013, Thamsanqa Jantjie, right, interprets in sign language for President Barack Obama during his remarks at Nelson Mandela's memorial. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) The interpreter who did little more than flap his arms around during Nelson Mandela's memorial is now in the hospital after a psychiatric evaluation. Thamsanqa Jantjie, who acknowledged suffering from hallucinations and schizophrenia, went for a check-up at a hospital near Johannesburg on Tuesday and was admitted immediately, the BBC reports via South Africa's Star newspaper. Jantjie had previously said he skipped a check-up to sign at the memorial. According to his wife: "He might have had a breakdown." (More interpreters stories.) Report an error