During any kind of disaster there is always room for criminal elements to take hold. Looting during floods, xenophobic attacks and marches is a common enough occurrence. So it is with malicious intent during times of change. South Africa is going through trying times and journalists are struggling to find their feet, place and role. The real journalists, that is.
Other elements are using this uncertainty and vulnerability to strike low blows unseen, protected by the mob think affecting journalism today. Everyone else is doing it, and so should we, it goes. Everyone is slaying Jacob Zuma and so should we.
Zapiro, your cartoon (Sunday Times, September 7 2008) depicting Zuma about to rape justice was below the belt (and the pun is not for fun). Your cartoon was a thoroughly personal attack on the man’s character.
Let me explain why, this time, even I cannot defend you.
1. You made an unfair reference to the trial in which Zuma was declared, in fact, proven innocent. The shower-head signifier is intended to identify him as that “sex shower” man in the rape case. If you dispute this, then why do you place it on Zuma’s figure every time (for example, your “Zapiro’s ANC ABC” in the Mail & Guardian on September 17 2007)? Under “Z” you had “Z is for Zuma — if he wins, we’re all f*@#&!!” Zuma is depicted there, shower-head hovering, holding a machine gun. That was freedom of expression; I let that one go.
2. You have it in for Zuma, everyone knows that. It is your freedom of expression, so I’ll let that one go too. In an interview with Koelble and Robins (2007) you said: “My unflattering portrayal of Jacob Zuma is entirely based on actual quotations of his where he has said outlandish, chauvinistic and ignorant things about Aids, women, and the rule of law, among other things. I was once an admirer of Jacob Zuma. I admired his commitment during the apartheid era, his pleasant personality, and his ability to establish rapport with people. I’m afraid that those qualities have been overshadowed by his recently displayed attitudes, his inability to control his own finances … As a cartoonist and therefore a commentator, I don’t have to hold back if I feel these things strongly, which I do. I think negative characterisation is justified.” Yes, Zapiro, it is justified in general. But …
3. You found it appropriate to use rape as the metaphor to carry your message. You thought it appropriate to liken Zuma’s legal battle to a rape scene. My issue is: Why rape, Zapiro? Of all scenarios, rape! Rape again. A very low blow, even for you.
4. I imagine that you sat and decided that in the interest of the right of South Africans to know, let me take someone’s father and depict him with his belt undone in front of a bound woman. You drew the cartoon, looked it over and felt satisfied that it would drive the message home. For those of us who are visually literate, the message was clear. Zuma was intent on forcing himself on this helpless woman held down by his accomplices (let the youth and communist leagues deal with you directly on the depiction of the accomplices, ayeye).
5. I am saddened because you have now succeeded in linking this man’s legacy to your primitive view of Africans. Your cartoon may as well have accompanied David Bullard’s article “Uncolonised Africa wouldn’t know what it was missing” (Sunday Times, April 2008).
6. At that precise moment when we the readers decoded the sign that is your cartoon, we were automatically required to make sense of the symbolism contained. We had to — if we wanted to make sense of the cartoon — refer to the underlying narrative of our South African story, which not only has the good and the bad but the very ugly too. We had to recognise our vulnerability to the brutality of hijackers, road-ragers and rapists too. At that precise moment of recognition we did not see Zuma the politician, but a brute. You know as well as I do that you had hundreds of other metaphors at your disposal, but still you chose the rape one.
You people — yes, I said it, you people — are jumping on the “let’s criticise the ANC/government bandwagon”, to which you are entitled, but not like this. We are busy marching while you are looting shops, slinging mud balls and talking nonsense.
Do not make politics so personal; at worst they are, but we do not need that right now. You are mixing issues and our Sunday paper is not your platform to be crazy and spiteful. You are not alone; Business Day has increased the size of its cartoons, and slowly but surely its cartoonist is getting bolder. I have my eye on you, sir.
Back to Zapiro. Even though Yalo’s cartoons in the Sowetan beat yours hands down in the relevance stakes (in my humble opinion), I am not advocating for your dismissal for you are still the leader of the pack. Your “Lying King” cartoon (Mail & Guardian, October 11 2007) was brilliant. Not that original, but absolutely brilliant.
I believe that satirical cartoons are an essential, if not the purest, part of media discourse. I know you know it too. You said: “I feel there is an important role for cartooning in South Africa at the moment. We as cartoonists are being taken more seriously than ever, as evidenced by Zuma’s suing me and also by the recognition of cartooning in journalism circles. Cartoons are moving off the pages of the newspapers and into radio and television debates.”
Yes, cartoons are the past and the future but bear in mind, Zapiro, that the point is to build our country. No journalist is above the news; no politician is above politics. People come and go. Let’s do our jobs and keep it moving.
I’m watching you.
And hey, Zapiro, I know this stuff. I collect these cartoons and I am currently reading for a master’s degree in journalism at Wits University.
Sandisiwe Vilakazi writes in her personal capacity
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119 Responses to “Why, Zapiro?”
When I saw the cartoon, I did not (honestly) for one moment think that here were some “black” men doing the raping. All I saw were certain groups and individuals pursuing a political agenda that has implications for justice in South Africa.
Just a question: can anyone present even one legal mechanism whereby Mr. Zuma is not tried or, if convicted, does not go to prison. And explain how it would work, any why it is lawful. (Of course, if any pre-trial judgments go his way, or if he is acquitted on the merits of the law and the evidence involved, then this wold not apply.)
I am not particularly interested in whether he goes to jail - I AM concerned about HOW the law is applied and justice functions.
Where have you been all this time? Rape is the exact act that is being done to SA at this moment by the Zuma group, just because you are”reading for a master’s degree in journalism at Wits University” you think you are now intellectual enough to argue otherwise.
I pray that your degree will help you catch a wake up. *throws hands in the air in dispair*
1) as i was explaining to my 15-year-old son, zuma was found “not guilty” of rape. he was not found “innocent”, although the judge read JZ the riot act with regard to having unprotected sex with a woman who was not his wife during the rather long judgment.
2) mockery of a public figures’s very public self-destructive behavior is fair game. if they wish that the mockery stops, they can always a) stop being a public figure or b) stop doing self-destructive behavior.
3) rape, although a despicable act, is a very interesting and somewhat appropriate, although completely distasteful metaphor to use. but given the realities of south africa, especially present-day south africa, rape is, sadly, an apt metaphor to use. this is not zapiro’s fault. it’s society’s fault for being so sick.
4) see points 1 and 2 above. in addition, you don’t see zuma’s kids anywhere saying “omg, why can’t he keep his pants closed?” okay, i’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and let them be just as upset and be as naive as oom tito’s [big birthday-party-receiving] niece, but “being someone’s father” should not magically shield them from being called into account and/or mocked for missteps that they have made, including sexual ones.
in addition, i’m looking through “reader blog” complaints about a) malema’s ‘kill for zuma’ comments, b) vavi’s near-repetition of the same words, c) nzimande’s slavish devotion and d) mantashe’s babblings about the new-look anc, etc., etc.
they’re listed as accomplices in the cartoon, because, well, they all share the common problem of being near a camera or a microphone and saying things that would make them “accomplices”. it isn’t a particularly thing to notice. all you need are sight, hearing, and a radio or television set to see, exactly, why zapiro picked these particular people as accomplices.
5) this isn’t a portrayal of any primitive views of africans. the cartoon of the gradual devolution [as opposed to evolution] of standards of ANCYL president is a much better example. but it’s nowhere as bad as 50-cent’s posse calling themselves G-Unit [with the G standing for “gorilla” and not “guerrilla” — look it up].
6) again, see point 1. if, you know, zuma hadn’t been subject to — get this — a rape trial, then the allusion of rape would have been entirely inappropriate. but he was, and he was found “not guilty” [which does NOT mean “innocent” by the way], and so the allusion, while tasteless, is permissible.
you mention that business day’s cartoonist is getting a bit bolder, and that you are watching both zapiro and the business day cartoonist closely. but are you watching our nepotistic oligarchs and their sycophantic supporters with the same level of scrutiny?
as you are in postgraduate education in journalism, you should be aware that there is a causal relationship between what public figures do and how their actions are interpreted by various media.
have you been taking zuma and his cheerleaders to task in the same manner to which you’ve taken zapiro? because without the action of zuma and his cheerleaders, zapiro would have had no material for this sketch.
I feel like I just wasted two minutes of my life, reading this rubbish. Can I send you a bill?
If you look at that cartoon and fail to see its meaning you are really an idiot. I’m sorry to sound so harsh, but I cannot believ that you would miss the entire point and try to make it an issue of “blacks being portrayed as savages”.
Did you really write this or did you have to dictate it to someone, because I cannot see how someone who is so dumb as to miss the point of this cartoon, is able to write and read.
Zapiro was making the point that Zuma, The ANCYL, Cosatu and the rest of their buddies are raping our democratic and judicial systems with their threats of violence if he were to be tried and found guilty.
The warning that “the workers” will revolt and resort to violence, was a brilliantly masked threat and call to arms. I feel insulted that they actually thought we wouldn’t realise this. Do these people think we are all idiots? Come on, I went to school and passed matric even. I even have a degree or two. Malema can’t fool me.
There are no legal or constitutional grounds for ZUMa not to be tried. If there are any, then I will gladly support mister Zuma too. I might even kill a few counterrevolutionaries for him.
What happened to ” I want my day in court” though?
If you can’t handle progressive hard-hitting political cartoons in this manner, read “Peanuts”. Zapiro is the only media representative who refuses to be intimidated by the ANC zoo. Every progressive democratic nation in the world has dozens of “Zapiros”. We are too sensitive to handle even one. It is a pity that he fights this battle alone.
OK there is fantasy, and there is reality. The lines between them are blurred, but for the most part, it is easy to discern between fantasy and reality. An example of fantasy is cartooning. An example of reality is that South Africa is turning into a third world country.
It is not Zapiro’s responsibility to build the nation. That is the ANC’s responsibility. Zapiro’s responsibility is satire. Satire does in fact build the nation, but in a much different way than the bricks and mortar way of providing infrastructure, providing education and ensuring that all our citizens can provide for their own livelihood.
Zapiro is not a journalist. Cartoons are not examples of investigative or informative journalism. You should view his cartoons with the same apprehension that you should read a columnist’s column. Take it with a pinch of salt, accept that it is Zapiro’s opinion and move on.
Good luck on your master’s degree in Journalism at Rhodes University, Sandisiwe (just in case your column/article was an indirect invitation for well wishers on your academic journey!).
While you are at it, you might want to send your CV to Luthuli House…. Who knows, you might land yourself a big slice in the proverbial slice of ANC-baked bread.
Your feelings of hurt, disappointment, dejection (or whatever one may call them) are understood. It can’t be nice seeing your buffoonery idol (and his unquenchable thirst for ascendancy to higher office - unscrupulously engineered by his lieutenants in the ANC) being interrogated in this fashion. We are with you in this hour of difficulty. May you find strength to rise and face your academic challenges to focus on your master’s degree in Journalism at Rhodes University (did I wish you good luck, by the way, Sandy?). However, you need to understand that Zapiro’s caricature - as unpalatable and in bad taste as you may find it to be - symbolically and comically represents a willful, cunningly engineered attempt (by the ANC you so idolize) at subversion of the principles of the rule of law. Where have you ever heard of a court trial (aimed at determining the guilt or innocence of the accused) having to be replaced by the ascendancy of diatribe by the mob who threaten mayhem if their buffoonery idol is prosecuted?
You also wantonly (and manipulatively) seek to juxtapose the Zapiro caricature with the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals - to both gain sympathy for the buffoon and win yourself fans - but yet choose to omit the glaring and vivid fact that these xenophobic attacks took place amidst the pervasive singing of the buffoon’s song of defiance (the one calling for machine guns). Did this not capture your supposedly and purportedly inquisitive mind as a master’s student in Journalism at Rhodes University, or that we should just take this omission on your part as an inconsequential, coincidental Freudian slip?
Either way, all the best of luck as you prepare your CV to the Luthuli House.
Zapiro got it spot on. This cartoon was just as good as the one that he did on the evolution of the ANC, where in the end it shows Mokaba, Mbalula and Malema evolving into monkeys.
What Vavi, Blade, Mantashe, Malema and co are doing is exactly what Zapiro has depicted them to be doing. I’ll never understand why they feel the need to try and bend every conceivable law in Zuma’s favour. Is he so special such that he needs special treatment? I’m a VERY worried man. This pro-Zuma=at-any-cost sycophantic behaviour is astonishing. And before everyone assumes me to be of pale-skin tone, think again. I’m even a Zulu to boot.
Your distaste for the cartoon and coming to the defense must show that you are a supporter of Zuma. That is your right, however it does cloud your judgment does it not?
It had to be rape depicted and not murder, as the justice system is being violated by members of the ANC for their own ends. Zuma is the chief character in the cartoon simply because of the current turmoil in the administration of justice leads back to Zuma. He is hence the chief architect of this mayhem. “Blood will flow, we will kill for Zuma” let us not forget the whole Hlope saga. The system will function after Zuma is done with it, however it will never be viewed the same again.
“I am saddened because you have now succeeded in linking this man’s legacy to your primitive view of Africans”
What have Africa produced other than mayhem, civil wars, dictators, famine and death? We do not even have the capacity to take on Robert Mugabe simply because as Africans we feel that we do not need to carry the responsibilities and accountability as every other developed country does. We are exempt as Africans as we had been colonised and been slaves. For how long will we sing that old worn out tune or cry racism every time someone criticizes us? WE need to start accepting responsibility!
“We are busy marching while you are looting shops”
Where are you marching too? Its high time that you stop marching and roll up your sleeves to do some work towards accountability and democracy.
We as Africans need to wake up and stop being the bastard child of the global community. We need to accept responsibility just as everyone else. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, India all had been protectorates or colonised, YET show me a country in Africa that has been able to stand on its own two feet - NONE!
We play the blame game because as Africans we are losers!
I wonder how anyone can so totally misunderstand and misrepresent the issues.
Using your numbers as reference;
1. Zuma was found innocent of raping the young woman, and i therefore accept that veridct. He admitted to having had a shower to reduce the chance of catching aids, which given his position relative to the aids awareness campaign, is pretty poor, and the shower head is a reminder of his stupidity and lack of good judgement, not that he is a rapist. The judge said as much in his findings and Zuma admitted it in his subsequent statements.
2. Zuma is very possibly our next president. For very many people that is a terrifying thought, as he appears wholey unsuitable for the position. Zapiro is reflecting the views very many people, people of all colours.
3. The rape is symbolic, surely you can see the point, Zuma f*cking the justice system!
5. The race card, suprise suprise. What has this got to do with ‘primative Africans’?
Zapiro is spot on. These folks are attempting to rape our consitutional democracy for their own ambitions. What do you think a “political solution” to a criminal trial is? Have you been deaf and blind to the overt threats by all his supporters depicted in the cartoon?
The only issue I have with Zaprio is that I would have put a character in labelled “ANC Zuma Faction” tearing off her clothing labelled “Scorpions”.
It is the most powerful analogy he could have used; and perhaps Zapiro thought that no other analogy would force SA to look into can of worms it is becoming.
Great cartoon in my opinion. Unfortunately the distastefulness is completely justified by the actions of those depicted. The cartoonist is just the messenger, remember?
What you should be bemoaning is that Zuma and his supporters have behaved in such a manner as to make a cartoon of this nature necessary.
It has taken too long for someone to confront Zapiro’s unbecoming behaviour.
Does it take ‘apples & bananas’ to discontinue Zapiro’s services from these media firms???
Zapiro is today not a cartoonist, but a perverted twisted-eyed creature and who’s a shell of his former self.
Hmmm makes me think of the legendary catchphrase:
“Empty vessels make most noise”
Our newspapers are, too, been taken over by a bunch of hillbillies who think they can run these papers like the Benalla Bugle…I just wonder for how long, I sincerely wonder..[..?..]
By the way, when is this ‘media tribunal’ starting to roll…there’s a lot of gobbledygook taking place before our daring eyes.
Anyway, good luck with your studies in Cambridge University.
I believe we’re extraordinarily lucky as a nation to have Zapiro. His cartoons are unfailingly astute and fearless, and in the climate of fear being created by the country’s leaders, that is all the more admirable.
John Lennon said it is the role of creative people in a society to express what we all feel; to act as a reflection of the environment. No-one does this better than Zapiro. I, for one, am deeply grateful that his eye is turned on the disturbing events unfolding here. It is voices like his - hopefully - that will prevent us from sliding into latter-day Stalinism.
As for specifics, I think the meaning of the cartoon, as others before me have said, is to show Zuma’s violation of the justice system, assisted by the members of the triparite alliance. To play the race card here is disingenuous. The cartoon isn’t about race, it’s about the actions of the people involved. Get the race chip off your shoulder and stand up and be counted on the basis of belief and action, just as the politicans you defend should be doing.
Um, and by the way, turning that mirror back on you, what do you mean by “you people”? Isn’t that the generalised discriminatory comment that is profoundly and fundamentally racist? Look to you own house Sandisiwe.
Ja Zapiro,are you testing our patience or what? you do not differentiate between toy and a real thing.This was real irritating and infact you underestimate our anger! Zuma is our leader and we will defend him as soldiers of our people’s liberation.
1. Zuma was found not guilty technically of rape - but had she sued him for damages she would have won. He was guilty of abuse. Read what the judge actually said - it was not pretty.
2. Zapiro does not have it in for Zuma - he is protecting justice, which Zuma certainly is not doing.
3. Rape of our whole Justice system is worse than abuse of one woman - and this IS rape!
4. If Zuma wants privacy, he must live a private life and not be in politics. ALL public representatives loose that right with the first pay cheque paid with taxpayers’ money. Public office means public scrutiny.
5. Zapiro does not think African are primative - he thinks the persons depicted in the cartoon are thugs. Their race has nothing to do with it.
6. When I saw Zapiro’s cartoon - I thought it a brilliant depiction of what many people think, and I also thought how brave of Zapiro to make this strong statement against Zuma who is already suing him. At least Zapiro has the guts to make a statement reflecting what MANY are thinking, even some in the ANC, and certainly many potential investors.
We will NOT build a country by letting off the powerful from corruption trials, we will build anarchy.
As Adam Habib has said Zuma should have the same rights as any person from a squatter camp or it is not “justice for all”.
AND remember that the NPA made it clear BEFORE Polokwane that Zuma would be recharged. At that stage it was still that Zuma was “innocent until proved guilty” and wanted “his day in court”.
Olny AFTER Polokwane did all this talk of dropping charges, amnesty, political solutions etc etc etc start, and only AFTER Polokwane did we even see Zuma speaking on TV. Has it ever struck any of you if this talk of perverting justice for Zuma had happened BEFORE Polokwane - the delegates might even have voted differently? Is THAT democracy? NO! It is cheating!
Great cartoon. Apt and to the point. The fact that everybody seems to understand the message and either get upset or smiles, is proof of this. ANC takes Shapiro to court? Shapiro might just go to Zuma’s legal team for advice. After all, lawyers take on any challenge for money. Can’t wait for the associated cartoon from Zapiro.
A courageous bit of satire by Zapiro! Brilliant, well done!!! I hear Zapiro refuses to apologise! Mmmm, sound familiar??? Hey Jules M, why don’t you show us the size of your manhood and make an offer to Zapiro: Offer to retract your crazy comments about killing for JZ; if Zapiro is prepared to apologise for his cartoon. Remember who started this…
The cartoon made me a little uncomfortable, but it was so accurate, so spot on. I have been wondering when someone would have the courage to express this articulately. Zapiro did that. And he did it well, judging by all the reactions. But Sandisiwe, your incoherent ramblings struck me as a tad…naive. When you’re done with your Master’s degree at Wits, join us in the real world. The world where people like Julius Malema are prepared to kill for Zuma; and leaders like Vavi and Nzimande and all the Zuma supporters gleefully assault our justice system with their comments. Then maybe the cartoon will make sense.
In their attempts to hold up a mirror to society, columnists, artists and cartoonists will frequently play close to the “line”. Zapiro cetainly did this time. It wasn’t funny like his other pieces tend to be, but a satirist/cartoonist doesn’t always have to be.
I personally found the cartoon crude, but like a swear word at the right time, it got the point across. Beautifully.
It’s astonishing how the toughest revolutionaries in the world wince and whine about the metaphoric rape of Justitia while they remain absolutely silent in light of the 150 (”official” number) actual rapes of women, girls and babies every day in this country.
I grew up in a small rural village in Central Europe with less than 300 inhabitants until today. If it were for the South African retards unable to curb their “desire” for innocent flesh, the villagers would probably have already been gang-raped forwards and backwards in less than a week, Sunday not included …
That’s something I’d complain about! F*$Ck the revolution and do something useful for South Africa and the South Africans who deserve it! Will you?
Well done to you Zapiro, finally someone has the guts to say what we are all thinking and discussing at the stokvels and coffee shops and lectures. what the accomplices do not realise is that the lustful hunger and greed that zuma has will not stop with the justice system. they may be cheering him on right now but it is only a matter of time before he turns on them he did it to Mbeki, is doing it to the law, the citizens of the country and he sure as hell will do it to them too. unfortunately the accomplices will wake up and smell the digusting smell of his selffish ways just after he takes the ritualistic shower that cleanses of all his dignity.
2. Zapiro does not have it in for Zuma - he is protecting justice, which Zuma certainly is not doing.
Zapiro does indeed “have it in” for Zuma, as he has publically admitted in interviews. Google things you are unsure of, before stating them as plain truth.
Politics aside: I consider the cartoon - (ANY cartoon) visually depicting a bound woman awaiting rape with the expectation that I will LAUGH about it, what EVER the context - extremely distasteful, insensitive and crude. Rape is no laughing matter. No matter how many levels there are to the context, blah blah. No. Not ever.
Great cartoon by Zapiro. Never has the truth hurt this much.
If anything, it has brought rape into the spotlight. Its amazing that we never see such condemnation of the actual act of rape by the ANC and the rest.
Lets face it, the men in this country cannot keep it in their pants. Robberies nowadays are aggravated by rape. I cannot understand that mentality.
I have read this and many other comments relating to the now famous cartoon. It seems that the vast majority of people are supporting Zapiro. The ANC would do well to take note of public opinion in response to their misplaced outrage.
The message to the new ANC is simple….the people do not like what you are doing to the judiciary and this cartoon focuses the publics concerns in a very effective way
anton kleinschmidt on September 9th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I think that if anyone should be offended by the cartoon, it’s the Department of Justice. Guilty or innocent, Zuma is doing what anyone in his position would do - trying to beat the system. The DoJ has tried to nail Zuma twice, and they lost both times.
If the cartoon had Jacob shooting at aeroplanes full of Aids orphans with a RPG-7, it wouldn’t be funny, ironic, true or thought provoking. It is that element of truth, that many people identify with, and that causes so much anger from Zuma-or-die supporters. That’s how cartoons work.
Hhay, I say Shapiro is racist. We don’t need insane people like him in this country. He is persuading people to go back to the Xenophobic attack. Know one thing my friend, some people would kill and die for ZUMA so please don’t stir SA up for World War 3. My friends we are tired of wars, we really need peace in this country, it things like these that could lead to bombing of shopping malls and casinos. Which is what’s not required.
Mvikeni kaNxamala Zuma on September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I’ve collected all of Zapiro’s compilations and i’m loath to find one racist cartoon. if the man attacks Bush, Blair, makes fun of Madiba; what makes Zuma so special?
i think you need to live the democracy we have and realise that no one is special or above criticism
Zapiro was spot on. The cartoon depicts with the highest accuracy the situation that SA finds itself in. The country is being held hostage by one man and his minions! The ANC and it’s alliance partners should not even be bothered with the cartoon but rather with service delivery. If only they could engage as much energy into matters that uplift the country rather than on a cartoon.
Where were you Sandisiwe when Malema and Co were threatening to kill for this man? What was your response to that? Are you quoting or interpreting Zapiro in the RIGHT CONTEXT?
@ Mvikeni - This racist thing has been done to death so please try another angle, we are no longer buying that one.
How is Zapiro encouragunf xenophobia, i’m baffled?(this should make wonderful to reading)
It will aways be hard and difficult for the Zuma supporters to defend Zuma. He is a leader with suspect moral qualities. The ANC has placed themselves in a hard place by electing Zuma as the leader. Defend the weak and the poor and stop trying to justify a immoral man!
Firstly, how is commenting on the actions of people who are all SA nations stirring up xenophobia? And secondly, it’s not Zapiro who’s threatening violence, it’s Zuma’s supporters. It’s people like you who are threatening violence if the rule of law is not subverted and charges against Zuma dropped.
I agree with Anton - most people are supporting Zapiro and what he depicted in this cartoon. The ANC and its alliance partners would do well to take notice.
I though the metaphor was excellent, regardless of Zuma’s history with woman and his trial. It summed up how the rules of law is being bludgeoned to make way for a political agenda.
I have raised the point about colonization many times, with Australia being my prime example. How is it that so so many other countries have been subject to white rule and yet they can get their act together and actually make something of it?
Instead of embracing all that the west has to offer, African leaders seem to spit in our face and in the faces of those they claim to lead. Look at King Mswati iii. His HIV policies are even more ridiculous than ours. His expenses just as frivolous as Mbeki’s (was that private plane really necessary?). I applaud mayor of London Boris Johnson for flying economy class to the Beijing Olympics (ok, so he is not quite head of state, but still).
“We are busy marching while you are looting shops…” And when is any actual work being done? Maybe it is time to stop expecting hand-outs? I love this country but grow more and more disillusioned every day. I even moved back from overseas to be here (no I don’t think I deserve a pat on the back but it shows my faith in this country).
Someone who works for the IDC told me last year that South Africa would be fine if all the white people left. This was an intelligent Business Science graduate from UCT. Needless to say, I was shocked. I almost feel like starting my own march and not one to Parliament, but overseas.
Zapiro, you rock. Zuma (and the rest of the ANC), stop acting like a clown and we won’t treat you like one.
I have considered you ‘not guilty’ vs ‘innocent’ comments re Zuma.
I must say that so far as i can se Zuma is innocent. If our law says you are’innocent until proven guilty’ and a court finds you ‘not guilty’ then you are ‘innocent’. The whole premise of this principal is that people do not make judgements about guilt without all the facts.
Zuma IS innocent of rape.
Given that i do not think zapiro was calling Zuma a rapist, but that he was F*cking the justice system, as i have said, i love the cartoon.
As zapiro says, the Zuma’s past is his own problem, not Zapiro’s.
Mike A- I also did not see black when I saw the cartoon. By the way, I heard a very interesting rumour about why Jacob Zuma is acting the way he is. That is what we should be wondering, because the way things are now, we are going around in circles.
Pyrokinetix- We’d bill each other but it’s not about us right now.
Garg Unzola- It is neither Zapiro’s nor the ANC’s ‘responsibility to build this nation’. When we all do our jobs to the best of our abilities we will all build this nation.
Zoo and Andre- I hear you. Good points.
thenack- It’s so not about race.
Lee Cahill- By ‘you people’ I am referring to all those who have written this country off. It looks bleak but this country is our home and only option. Go see African Footprint, if you feel it you’re one of us.
Thabo Mbeki (in Zapiro’s other works) with the pipe is a cool signifier and Zuma with the showerhead was justified to an extent. But now Zapiro has produced such a multi-layered image that it cuts so much deeper than Zuma’s battle with the law. He basically went for the man’s balls and I don’t think that’s fair. Zuma is in the public arena as a politician- diss him on his vocab, diss him on his intellect, diss him on his decisions sometimes. [Please don’t quote international instances where the most intimate details were exploited in the name of press freedom. That is not our home, at least not mine.]
I am very open-minded but at some point we have to draw the line.
If we do not draw the line then we ain’t seen nothing. Shock tactics will be the order of the day; our dirtiest linen will be out there for all to see!
Zapiro’s great; he’s witty, talented and I do appreciate him. I may have gotten carried away yesterday but I must clarify that my issue is with the discourse of this one particular cartoon- not the man.
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on September 9th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Mvikeni kaNxamala Zuma on September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 am wrote:
Hhay, I say Shapiro is racist. We don’t need insane people like him in this country. He is persuading people to go back to the Xenophobic attack. Know one thing my friend, some people would kill and die for ZUMA so please don’t stir SA up for World War 3. My friends we are tired of wars, we really need peace in this country, it things like these that could lead to bombing of shopping malls and casinos. Which is what’s not required.
@ Mvikeni
Can you spell hypocrite? How is he persuading people to go back to Xenophobic attacks? I can’t believe that you criticize him for something that only you seem to see and in the same breath state that people would kill and die for ZUMA…
And I am a little confused because nowhere in the cartoon does it depict people of other nations. Maybe you are referring to racist attacks and not xenophobic attacks. Unless of course you view white people as foreigners and not fellow Africans. I am still confused as to who would do the attacking in your mind? Is it white people on black ANC supporters?
Maybe if you saw a few more Zapiro cartoons you would realize that no buffoon is safe from Zapiro’s sharp wit. He has criticized people of all races, nationalities, genders, religions. An intelligent person would know that this cartoon is not a racist comment but rather a statement about the attitudes of certain people in positions of power in this country. And quite frankly, Zapiro is right. It is scary that :
a) these people are in power
b) that people actually support them and
c) they think that they are doing the country (and the people) a service with this type of behaviour
I think you’ve been put in your place Sandisiwe. go away and think long and hard about what everyone has said. i’m sure you have some common sense. Use it. Stop allowing yourself to be brainwashed by these power hungry people.
What’s more important to you? Zuma in power or a strong constitution? Basically what Zuma is trying to do is break down what he fought so long n hard to achieve.
The cartoon made me cold. It could be for it’s accuracy on the behaviour of Zuma and his freinds. However I really wish that another theme other than rape was used, cause it also meant that the not-guilty verdict in the rape trial was in fact not fair and that perhaps Zappiro doubts our justice system. Also I was offended as a woman as that rape was used again,to send a message, and more sadly by a man (Zapiro). I wish rape could be one of those issues that can only mean direspect and violence and cannot be used to send messages, educate, enlighten no matter how strongly we could feel about any issue. Zapiro your cartoon always touch a nerve but this one, I actually find it insensitive to women. You are now in my eyes an abusive man who rapes women and understands that rape could be used to achieve other goals. In this case to show how our judiciary is undermined and not respected.
I think the cartoon is pretty much spot on. I have a feeling also that as “events” become worse and more serious (an attack on the judicial system and threats to kill people) so cartoons become sharper, more satirical and less funny.
In the overall picture (pardon the pun) I am disappointed in Jacob Zuma. His supporters have shown their colours, challenging the rule of law and the judicial system, threatening to go back to killing to achieve their ends and ingratiate themselves with their new political master. JZ should have made it clear that he did not need this kind of support.
I do believe his prosecution is selective but not without its merits. He is entitled to use every legal tool at his disposal to fight his case. That is the right of everyone who falls under our justice system.
I am not a zuma fan and frankly would like to say i have my reservations with regards to him being the next president, i just dont think he is cut out for the job especially with all the contoversies surrounding him. on the same breath i would say it makes me question the integrities of those that are pointing fingers at him and makes me question their hollier than thou judgement. in my opinion the judiciary in south africa is being abused by the politicians but it seems lately we are not doing a 360 degree look at the whole issue we are just plainly focusing on zuma as he is the easy target. i dont see myself voting for the ANC in the next election but so far no one has proven to me that they should be the recipient of my vote, probably i might get swayed by kgalema as he is the only politician so far i feel understands the people….well we will see.
with regards to zapiro, he is good on what he does, and i am a big fan of him, from the past years i have been enjoying his cartoons and like his style of hitting without prejudice however he left a very bitter taste in my mouth but then again we live in a democratic society and can always violate assasinate characters as we see fit they are after all public figures….viva democracy and freedom of press!!!
What makes a person “one of us”? I was born here, as were my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, and have lived here all my life. I’d say that I’m “one of us” as much as anyone else. I don’t have to agree with the tripartite alliance or support Zuma to justify my place, my rights and my voice as a South African citizen.
I agree with SAchild - go away and think long and hard about what you’re saying here, and what it all implies.
Steve van Niekerk on September 9th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Let Zapiro express himself in the manner and way he wants to. We are lucky that he is able to express himself in such a public way that we can occasionally look at it.
What a man does brands one’s self, as much as provocative the cartoon is! We both know Sandisiwe that it reminds us of what a man, a father, a leader has actually done to deserve such a tag.
Good luck girl with your Master’s Degree, oh last but not least “The Sunday Times” sells the paper and what sells is hullabaloo
Ntombizonke Mehlomakulu on September 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Lee, don’t stress. You are one of us. You saw my definition of ‘you people’ and clearly you are not in that categoery so let it go please.
Moving along, what now?
The frustrating thing about this news industry is that most storms blow over as quicly as they started. What’s the latest on Selebi again?
So Zapiro has started this debate, now what? Can we carry Zuma to court on our shoulders and force him to sit through a trial?
I wish the media was as powerful as we make it out to be, if it was, Julius Malema would have apologised. But he didn’t. And that was that.
We’ll debate this till we are all blue in the face and it won’t change a thing. Instead we’ll be watching the next act, and the next…
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on September 9th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Poeple must stop refering to the views of the privilaged few who have access to the media as views of the majority. Anyone who understand SA’s make up will understand that there is a real majority that could have come to a different interpretation of Zapiro’s catoon. They have a different opionion on whether Zuma is raping the Judicial or not. So let us stop stating the views of the privilaged few as the views of majoriy.
On IOL: “The organisations [ANC, ANCYL, SACP] said they had never attacked the judiciary, but criticised unfair treatment of Zuma in a normal public discourse of a democracy.”
This cartoon was done in bad taste, i get the point Zapiro is trying to put across but the cartoon is insensetive and is an insult to black people as a whole.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
This whole hullabaloo is reminiscient of the furore when the Sunday Times dared to publish any satirical cartoons showing the Nat politicians as bufoons - the outcry and hoohaa was astounding.
What is it about South African politicians (through the ages) that makes them think they are above the law, above criticism and above the very people that pay their salaries. They are known as public servants for the very reason that they are exactly that - servants of the public. They owe us their living, and should be made aware of this as often as is necessary.
As for supporters who will blindly follow them - history is full of people who “didn’t really support the regime” but were not brave anough to stand up to it.
Pinheads with buble size egos boosted by hatred for the ANC some with Zuma are saying a lot stupid things in Newspaper known for its ownership and prejudice.Zuma was found not guilty by a court.Now when it suits some of you justice must be observed and be seen. Now a court said not guilty, just like the DA, when it suits you democracy and the Constitution are the hype of the time.Zuma was declared not guilty, pinheads!!! Now this Zapiro will pay the price alone and most of you false profets will not be there. The Masters of stupidity here unfortunately who try to convince us that their education makes them wiser should look North to see what it cannot do.
Whites will always hate us so no matter what they say I do not just accept without second thoughts. In many instances they will advice us because there is something for them to gain. We will not be moved. Zuma is our MAN!!!!!!!!!
It saddnes me that still up to now, there is a black opinion and a white opinion, it does not matter how well we now blacks speak english, how we now suddenlt live in the suburbs and have acquired tastes and opinions…we are still divided as ever and that wond change until the day we stop our SA window dressing.
I agree with 10G above about the use of rape in the cartoon (and I am a man).
I think arguments about whether the cartoon is racist or not miss the point - the cartoon was about alliance leaders and what they are reported to be saying about the justice system, and they happen to be black. If, for example, Jeremy Cronin was head of the SACP and not deputy, he would have been there instead of Blade.
I also think the perceived link with Zuma’s rape trial is not the issue.
I have no problem with taking political figures on in the media, whether in cartoons, satire or editorial. Politicians should always be reminded of their ordinariness and their fallibility.
I am also not commenting on the validity or otherwise of the message regarding the perceived attacks on the judiciary by political figures.
What shocked me was the image. I was not as shocked by two other cartoons on the same theme - one which showed ‘justice’ being hung from a tree, the other showing ‘justice’ being chased by a car with a loud hailer on it. Both were projecting essentially the same message as the Zapiro cartoon, but neither for me evoked the ‘coldness’ that I experienced when I saw the Zapiro version.
I was shocked by the use of rape in a cartoon only metaphorically about rape (’rape’ of justice) and also by the actual drawing - the complicit holding down of the arms, the drawing up of the legs, the screaming mouth, the looks on the faces of some of the men. In the end, this is one case in which I don’t believe the message justifies the medium. And I find it astounding that Jan Duncan of the Freedom of Expression Institute could for a moment believe that anyone could find it funny. Shocking yes, through-provoking, certainly, but funny?
I did a Google search for ‘rape cartoon’ and saw nothing remotely like this. I am an ardent Zapiro and general lover of cartoons, especially challenging ones, but this one? No.
I’m not stressing, Sandisiwe, I’m making a point about the “them” and “us” way of viewing things, which is a breeding ground for unfair discrimination.
As for the debate around the cartoon, it’s certainly made public opinion on the issues very clear, and has hopefully also sent a very clear message to the tripartite alliance that the constitution and the rule of law are sacrosanct, as they should be in any democracy.
The reason so many people have been drawn to this debate is in the hope of turning the tide on proposed actions that would fundamentally threaten the very foundations of our democracy - that’s the purpose of debate in an open society.
Seeing that the Zuma depicted in the cartoon is wearing his shower cap, does it mean the justice system is infected with HIV? So, is it far fetched to criticise the health of our justice system. Me thinks not!
Me also thinks freedom of speech should also be extended to Malema and Vavi. They also have cheerleaders in the townships and villages of South Africa.
Sandisiwe, seeing you are black, using the figure of expression “being blue in the face” is OBVIOUSLY metaphoric. There is NO way a person as black as you would turn blue in the face.
Now, go back to Zapiro’s cartoon and turn blue in the face.
If you cannot do any one of these suggested activities, then there is something amiss with the admission criteria at Rhodes University. You are functionally illiterate IF you cannot see through the cartoon to the intended message.
Like some wise person has said, if you will not change your mind, isn’t it valid for some of us to question if you have one in the first place?
Any REASONABLE person is capable of changing their mind in the face of prevailing evidence to the contrary. The majority of South Africans who have commented on your blog entry beg to differ.
Each figure in the cartoon is a real person, not some anonymous black person. These are real characters in real positions in our politics. Each of the people depicted have been in media reports - associating themselves with Zuma and his trial.
How can you suggest Zapiro is being racist? The fact that you see black when everyone else sees people means that you are the racist.
Oh Nda, you exhaust me. Why do you assume that I am black? Because of my name? Shame, this is the new South Africa; it’s alive with possibilities and I can be as blue as I please. What grade are you in anyway?
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on September 9th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
“I have my eye on you, sir.”
“I’m watching you.”
The only thing missing here is “I know where you live.”
A MA degree in journalism is worth nothing if you do not understand the fundamentals of “freedom of speech”, i.a. what is said does not have to be nice.
You, a black woman, saw black men raping. I, another black woman, saw Jacob Zuma and supporters raping justice - a well known metaphor for abusing justice.
How is the cartoon an insult to black people as a whole. Am I missing something here, I am labeled “black” and I took no offense.
This is not a black or white issue, why cant people get that through their heads? Maybe its just mankind, I mean, there were people that absolutely loved Hitler and his murderous ways..how they justified that, we shall never know..
I am constantly saddened by the fact that as South Africans we still look at matters like this cartoon through such racialistic spectacles. Why must we always assume that there is a racial agenda? The fact is that Zapiro gave a visual portrait of what will lead to the demise of our judicial system if it is not seriously checked a.s.a.p. President Mbeki and many government spokespersons have said the same thing. We must refrain from debating these issues from a racila premise. Whether the cartoon is in good taste or not is obviuously debateable. What is not debateable is the dangerous truth that it portays very forcibly.
Come one South Africans, let us grow up and deal with real issues.
I agree with @Mav…. People who pull out the race card when there is nothing racist about something are themselves racist. In fact it actually makes me a little more racist every time someone calls Zapiro and David Bullard racist. I would rather aspire to be like them than the buffoons we call our government. However, people like Tokyo Sexwale and Ramaphosa give me faith too.
It is human nature to be racist. It happens everywhere. It is not ever going to go away. Get over it and stop feeling sorry for yourselves (all races included).
Ehh, but you are black Ms Vilakazi. That is not the issue though, like Zuma’s colour of skin is not the issue. I hate the expression “playing the race card” as it is a standard phrase mostly used by racist people to defend their stands or privileges when they know they are in the wrong.
As a black person do not feel obliged to share Zuma’s shame and feel that you have to defend him and his efforts to affect and corrupt the judicial system. I don’t.
Sandisiwe, your writing is poor, illogical and bigoted. Your anything but ‘humble’ opinion has been disregarded (by someone who already has their masters degree - if that’s how you measure reason).
Great cartoon Zapiro, thanks for stimulating debate and exposing the hypocrasy of presently shocked, previously “umshini wam’” toting false idols
Hi Sindisiwe,you made your point and it was loud and clea. Do not worry about bafoons.Your analysis was perfect and spot on.Zapiro is at ‘work’ like many of his like.The money is pouring in from the ‘masters’.Obviuosly they share with the ‘likes’ in our own black skin.This is the message: Sunday Times has got many ‘likes’ in store as the recruitment is from the masters! 2010 negative promotion in Europe Media says a lot about the ‘masters’. They do not believe that ‘their’ money should be spent here in the ‘Bundus’!! But they stole and are still ’stealing’ our Minerals and Oil etc [pretending to be our friends.They know why they attack Zuma.He is too politically aware.If you know what is being discovered in this transition under the current ANC Leadership from Policies that were smoke-screened to favor us, you will be shocked.We are gaining much ground in winning it back!! I am not regretting from our choice of a leader from the information I have.Zapiro is a mouth piece of the ‘masters’.He will fall by the wayside like all the Nieuwoudts etc.We are matching on with the Struggle!!
Mav, you can lie most of the time but will not convince us all the time!!! The people you refer to with Zapiro are in the driving seat of our Revolution!! Che Guevara will explain to you better here!! They being depicted in a criminal light as holding a woman for raping by Zuma!!So that means more!! That woman might represent all your Capitalists being held down by the Communists for Zuma to ‘pee’ on them!!These are real people yes that is what angers us as Blacks.Media was never derogatory as this! No morals nothing.Bullard infact desribed better in his Sunday Columns.His about about blacks as being stupid are well put by Zapiro!!They all work for either Mail and Guardian or Sunday Times!! These newspaper declared themselves to be enemies of our hard working people. I rest my case.So Mav, do not sugar coat this.Maybe for the stooges who are editors of the master’s newspapers.They tried it with Polokwane they failed!! Now another trick! Finally when we prevail, we have to finally take the war to them!! Beat the ‘dog’ and you will know who is the master!!! We bit Apartheid now it is Mafia behind the Media!!
Please do not let this become about race, whatever your view point.
The debate is about the justice system and our constitution which are undoubtedly in the firing line. Turning this into a race issue plays totally into the hands of the ANC, who are all too happy to turn this into a black verse white issue.
This is a ‘For an idependent judiciary and upholding the constitution’ or ‘The judiciary is counter -revolutionary and must conform to the wishes of the ANC and the ANC is more important than the constitution, and people should kill for Zuma’.
It makes me wonder why the majority of people that preaches the protection of justice to be the motive for this cartoon seem to be contradicting themselves by not accepting that Zuma was not found guilty for rape by the same judiciary they are so viciously defending. Isn’t this hypocrisy?
Whilst I’m not condoning what Zuma and his ANCYL and COSATU supporters are doing by their irresponsible comments. I cannot seem to comprehend the reasoning of the people opposing them. It seems more like a personal attack on Zuma rather than a means to address the political issues in our country. This is not different to what Mbeki has tried to do by dismissing Zuma before he was even tried in the court of law. This and many other issues including scorpions and the judiciary caused him his place in the ANC at Polokwane.
This whole justice issue is not even different from the scorpions’ debacle. In fact they are siblings, the whole drama is nothing but personal. Zapiro is a great cartoonist; he shouldn’t drag himself in this type of political games. This will tarnish his professional stature. There’s a lot people who just sit around and voice their personal emotions without regard for moral, anything that will make them feel good, that they have won against Zuma, come what may.
With this cartoon, Zapiro might not have intended to offend anyone including Zuma himself, but he may have gone a little too far. The picture itself could be meaning what he did not intend to put forward. It has too many connotations; yes he was trying to say that Zuma and his supporters (ANCYL, SACP and COSATU) are raping the justice system, or is it that Zuma is a rapist? If the latter is the point he is trying to make, then this seems to be contradictory to supporting the justice system course because the court itself found Zuma to be innocent of rape. Is Zapiro against this ruling? What on earth is all this?
[…]”Zapiro is a mouth piece of the ‘masters’.He will fall by the wayside like all the Nieuwoudts etc.We are matching on with the Struggle!!”
Couldn’t be said better…
By the way, another erstwhile knick-knack Sunday Times columnist admitted (somewhere in this platform) that he was used as a ‘magnet for advertising’. His ‘masters’ were only concerned about the bottom line…they watched him trouncing on people’s civil liberties.
Mondli, Malalas, and Zapiros too, are still pleasing their ‘big Bas’.
The message is obvious:
‘Dent ANC leaders’ images, if things go awful don’t worry we’ll back you (financially).If you still not come up to scratch, just issue an apology…the masters are amusingly poking these poor guys, and it’s just a pity that they’ll only recognize ’such’ when they, too are fired…
The knick-knack columnist (I earlier talked about) is spilling the beans…
We’re patiently watching while this sh*t unfolds…the sun will finally set.
Siphiwo Qangani with kangaroos on September 9th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Hi N, You are jealous of her achievement.You failed to even write any sense 2 cents worth paragraph.You will always be against Zuma and Africans anyway.She exposed both side’s weaknesses. You have one view: Blacks should not be in power. Shame, rest in pieces.
Poor amused, you missed the point. That is how you see it.The ‘truth/s’ is / are as many as are the views on this blog.What about the biased and non-independent Justice System, a Prosecution and Executive that protected others with the President’s intervention that led to Pikoli being suspended! How about that? Try again?
The cartoon depicts events of what is happening in SA today. Nothing more.
Without the events the cartoon could not have been drawn. How can it be seen in any other way.
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks he’s a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks he’s a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others less fortunate are cold and starving.
CBS, NBC and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit, the Frog, appears on Oprah with the
grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing “It’s Not Easy Being Green.”
Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant’s house,where the news stations film the group singing “We shall overcome.”
Al Gore exclaims in an interview with Peter Jennings that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and calls for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his “fair share”.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the “Economic Equity and Anti-Grasshopper Act”, retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the
government.
Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients.
The ant loses the case.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant’s food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant’s old house, crumbles around him because he doesn’t maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful
neighbourhood.
Your first statement is the most telling: ‘During any kind of disaster there is always room for criminal elements to take hold’. You make it sound like something very bad has happened! What? Nothing bad has happened! One man is being held to account - he wants to be president - so we, that’s we the people - will crit him as much as we like. That is because we expect more from a president. Nay, we expect a leader, and sadly he isn’t up to it; he isn’t anywhere near Mr. Mandela, that’s for sure.
If Zapiro intended that people talk more openly about what they REALLY believe is REALLY going on with JZ’s trial- then, judging from the comments above, I would say that the end has already justified the means.
Ms Vilakazi,
I note your abhorrence of the rape metaphor. However, it is troubling that in your entire rebuttal of the cartoon, not once is the issue of the threat to lady justice and our consitution addressed. Many may take the rape associations seriously - granted. But is the true meaning of the cartoon not how our justice system and constitution are now being unravelled and our judges being attacked, due to the expedience and naked political ambitions of all the individuals pictured?
I will continue to watch Zapiro, as you say you will, and I will hope that our constitution remains un-modifed, and along with it Zapiro’s right to draw what he sees and have it published.
Dumisani Mkhize on September 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Man, you really are a moron. If you cannot see the symbolic meaning behind the cartoon then I fail to understand what you are doing posting the rubbish you write. Go kiss your master’s arse, Zuma. We know which camp you are in.
oh man!! Y, was that a depiction of SA???? it’ s a brilliant story dude.
On the Zapiro issue, let’s not make it black/white issue guys… that’s pathetic!
The Justice system in South Africa is being raped, bottom line- NO negotiations- and as long we refuse to see/acknowledge it NO change will come- we’ll find ourselves in a Zim like situation soon-ZAPIRO wins for getting the message across!!
Do we really want a president who thinks he can do with the system as he pleases?? Is he above the law?? The cartoon just got us thinking & talking alot… 100 points to Zapiro!!
VIVA ZAPIRO…. express urself dude,keep on drawing & keep’em talking!!!!
Sandisiwe you’re a *&^!&@! idiot quite frankly. This has nothing to do with rape statistics or degradation of women. The rape scene is a metaphor for what Zuma is doing. If you can honestly say Zuma isn’t an idiot, then you’re one of the idiots queing up to destroy this country. You say Zapiro not to take politics so personally, yet you slate the man by missing the point of the cartoon entirely and end up being overly-sensitive about unrelated issues. Rape and the abuse of women is not the issue portrayed in the cartoon, it is used as a metaphor and nothing more. I have personally used the term “raping the justice system” when talking to friends - does that make me insensitive to women and rape issue in our country? Wake up - and carry on studying your journalism degree because you have a long way to go before you realise the difference between unbais reporting, and an artists right to contraversial imagery.
I concede that I did not address [and I quote you here] “the true meaning of the cartoon- how our justice system and constitution are now being unravelled and our judges being attacked, due to the expedience and naked political ambitions of all the individuals pictured”
That is a valid observation, I have left that one for the political analysts. What you have said is without a doubt, the real issue here and it is the reason Zapiro drew the cartoon in the first place.
The point I was making from a journalistic perspective is that it’s a crude depiction. I acknowledge the argument that it depicts a ‘crude situation’ therefore the the crudeness is warranted.
My thinking is: if it’s about the end not the means, which is what most people are saying, then can we also justify suicide bombings? Their issues may be valid but they can’t just ’set it off’ as they please.
This is a drastic comparison and I am IN NO WAY saying Zapiro is or even like a terrorist. Again I see that by making this comparison, it can be argued that it was exactlty this employment of drastic metaphors which made Zapiro depict Zuma as a rapist.
My feeling is that we as South African are feeling frustrated at some of the events unfolding that we seemingly have no control or influence over. Is tabloid journalism the way to go?
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on September 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Shame sweetness, you should ask your money back at Wits. Do consider another career as well while you’re at it.
How else could that situation be depicted? Rape, as vile as it is, is the only way in which the demise of our justice system can be described right now. Maybe if you and yours sided with the good guys, we can get the country back on the right track, and away from these financial, judicial rapists and political prostitutes.
Do you realy want a criminal for a state president? Is this what Madiba spend decades in prison for? You should be ashamed of yourself, defending the rape of Madiba’s legacy. Do have a nice day.
Mandela! Andrek!! If you know you will understand that we lost the whole thing under him you will not quote the name in this discussion. He made blacks loose their rights by pushing whites up the ladder and we remained where we have been! Under Mbeki, the world and his friends got it all and we are still poor.We are still where we are in 4 Bedroomed houses as in Apartheid, getting a stipend that makes this country go deeper in to red as the year goes by.Let me tell you, the more you hate Zuma,the more we stick to him as it gives us an understanding that he is the real man!Mandela all of you whites liked and Mbeki the same! They did not do us any better.The opposite will always be true.From where we are,he is not raping anyone!Whites and their political parties can say whatever.Media and all! Zuma is our man.The lady presented the view from the masses.You have not learned from Polokwane?
In my understanding, Mr Zuma has always been following propper channels and due processes in challenging the NPA where he thinks his rights mith have been infringed by the NPA, and this is tantamount to excercising his rights, so I don’t know why would Jonathan Shapiro liken it with raping the Justice System.
Let’s face it! Jonathan Shapiro just hates Mr Zuma, I’m saying this because all his cartoons about Mr Zuma amount to personal attack on Mr Zuma’s person and individual Character and quite insulting so to say. I don’t know if Shapiro is being used by or part of those who are trying to destroy Mr Zuma.
Coming to the comment made that the Majority supports Shapiro, that’s absolutely incorrect and misleading the public, no proper research has been done on this, and it cannot be judged by comments made here because it’s only a certain class of the society that has access to internet, furthermore people who have commented here cannot even make 5% of those who have access to internet.
To you Mr Shapiro and your supporters, whether you like it or not, the Honorable J. G. Zuma will become the President of the Republic of South Africa in 2009, so if you don’t like that, you can cry, pack your bags and go to hell, or just admit it and contribute towards building this beautiful country through open debates and dialogue, not this hatred cartoon which drives us backwards, surely our young democracy doesn’t need this kind of a thing.
“History is full of people who did not support the regime”
And many of the people posting here will have their children lying to their grandchildren about how they did not support Zuma, when SA has become another Zimbabwe.
The truth is that without foreign investment we can’t last -AND one of the myths of the ANC is that the wealth belongs to whites, In fact 30% of the stock exchange, and probably as much of the land belongs to foreign investors. Never mind the 700 billion of public servants pensions (mostly black) also invested in the stock exchange.
“Let me tell you, the more you hate Zuma,the more we stick to him as it gives us an understanding that he is the real man!”
Just a note, your enemy’s enemy is not necessary your friend (e.g. bigott people who are Jewish do not like Hitler and Hitler would not have liked you.
Zuma - in trying to prevent justice from having its course - is a destructive force who disrespect the very system which is there to protect you. Zuma - if found guilty has stolen from you as well as from your “enemies”. If not found guilty, all is good for you and Zuma.
If I quote Irvin Khose my comment won’t be published but he has a point.
this has so got to be the first time i’ve seen someone tell it like it is, or at the very least tell it like it seems to be, to such great effect. zapiro needs a medal, not marching orders. his cartoon should be replicated, copied, distributed far and wide for no other reason than to, at best, get people to see that there are people with this perception and in so doing get them to start thinking on their own two feet, instead of waving pickets and chanting and toy-toying merely because someone made promise of some machine gun action. this country IS troubled, and the crap i hear coming out of the posse’s mouths everyday is no excuse for ignorance.
The trouble with common sense is that it is not that common…. When I read some of the comments here I become afraid –truly afraid…..
Stupidity I suspect is genetic and there is little that can be done about it – but there should be no excuse for ignorance. The semi-literate ideologues who are queuing up to support Zuma at the cost of some rather important democratic principles – press freedom, freedom of expression, separation of powers and equality before the law spring to mind. Zuma has every right to pursue all legal avenues to avoid going to jail – I know I would – but reprehensible does not begin to describe the actions and utterances of clowns in the tripartite alliance who just cannot wait for 2009 to roll around so they too can wedge their little trotters in the trough of government largess.
The threat of violence and the rape of the judicial system (a commonly used metaphor – very cleverly used by Zapiro) are grave threats to this country and unfortunately highlight the ignorance and imbecility of many of his supporters. However it also highlights an important point – Zapiro’s cartoon (brilliant in my opinion) does not affect Zuma, his cheerleaders or his supporters. The bedrock of Zuma’s support base do not, or cannot read newspapers, and abstract constitutional concepts, investor confidence or South Africa’s international image are too far removed to sway their opinions.
Hi cheerleaders on the other hand have firmly attached themselves to his coat-tails in the belief (probably quite well founded) that great wealth (both ‘strategic’ placements in govt depts and of course tenders/BEE deals etc) will come their way when their man finally gets his hands on the government chequebook (or in the case of judge Hlope - a nice position on the constitutional court where the interests of the clique can be protected if there is still a legal system).
But what genuinely baffles me is why otherwise intelligent people like Ms. Vilakazi (I think I went to university – undergrad - with you Sands) would throw their weight behind someone whose very existence knocks points off the country’s credit rating. You point out that you are reading for a MA (I’m reading for a PhD – MA cum laude if you’re interested) yet you believe the salvation of this country lies with a man who has never set foot in a classroom.
We live in the information age in a globalized world and this country has to compete to succeed – do we perpetuate the ‘African model’ of incompetent corrupt government where important national decisions are based on the wrong criteria – tribal allegiance, nepotism, opportunities for graft? Or do we embrace growth, education and excellence – where the framework (judiciary etc) of a successful state is inviolate? The time for marching is over, the time for killing (and the use of the word politically) is over. Modern successful societies are created by their populations who choose not to rape, burn and murder when they disagree.
Hi Zebra, please give me a name or whether we were together in media or politics.
But to answer you, eish, you got me wrong. It’s about the cartoon not Zuma. Read some of the comments I made during the week.
If you were with me in political science, then I think you know me better than to think I’ll be in PMB tomorrow. How about an Obama to get us through this period?
MA cum laude you say? Must be Jeremy or Mark.
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on September 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
well Spotted Sands its Jeremy - glad to see you still enjoy a debate:)… yes maybe Obama will make it all ok if he wins - either that or comrade JZ will take Sarah Palin as another wife and go live in Alaska….(Sarah Palin tried to get some books banned from the library of Wassilla when she was mayor so they both don’t like press freedom but not sure if she drinks her beer from paint tins..)
The tone of your message sounds more like someone I know in this platform…I wonder whether that ‘z’(I’ve been seeing) in his codename… stands for Zebra.
Hmmm! With you, I can only see freedom “Black and White stripes” such a yummy recipe.
Ag! Don’t mind me; some things are too observable to be ignored.
Anyway, good luck with you PhD in Medunsa.
I am also doing ‘Master of Veterinary Science’ at James Cook University.
I, too sincerely need your wishes for my upcoming exams.
Siphiwo Qangani with kangaroos on September 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Why rape? Jeez Louise! Because the metaphor in English, “to rape an institution”, is commonplace and established. Look it up in a dictionary. Zuma calls for his machine gun and his supporters threaten to KILL to keep him from being prosecuted, and all you are worried about is a “rape” metaphor? This has nothing to do with stereotyping black people - Zapiro is merely criticizing the bad guys. Who, this time round, happen to be black. Black people can do wrong, you know.
I think the nature of thought leadership is such that at times we espouse thoughts that are ahead of their time…
I read with interest the article by Ms Vilakazi and perused the damning responses as well.
Much like i expected, when white intellect is confronted with honest, reflective thought; it retreats into the cul de sac of blunt intellectualism (deliberate oxymoron).
The letter by Ms Vilakazi is a product of thought; it is critical, analytical and complimentary in certain parts. I think the source of her disappointment has more to do with her affinity for the satirical art form and her admiration of Zapiro’s past offerings within this realm.
I too would like to go on record to say that I used to admire Zapiro: The piece he did after we lost the Cape Town Olympic Bid, with the toothless Cape Townian yelling: “Athens se ma se P%@s!” summed up the mood of the nation. I was there when Juan Alberto Samaranch announced ‘Athens’ and Zapiro’s pen lifted my mood.
But on the issue of Zuma, I believe that he has flouted the maxim of decency.
I am a consumer of media, but media exists in a context from which it cannot divorce its responsibility both as a mirror and a vault of our collective history.
There is a tendency for people who lack an understing of scholarship to think that wherever there is disagreement, there is division. Scholarship is by nature a contestation of diametrically opposed views. And this at times calls upon us to defend at the top of our voices the right of the next person to differ with us at the top of their voice.
Well done Sandisiwe; what this country is civil activism that transcends party political lines and petty bigotries. And that process begins with robust debate…
Let me end off with the words of an anonymous writer:
“First they ignore you
Then they laugh at you
Then they oppose you
Sihlangule Siwisa on September 11th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
On the 13th hour of the Twelfth Day, of the Ninth Month, Judge Chris Nicholson, a vanguard of the Constitution of South Africa, delivered the verdict that;
“Fraud and corruption charges against Jacob Zuma, leader of the country’s ruling African National Congress, were invalid and said they may have been politically motivated”
I shall speak not of vindication, of victories, nor consipiracies… I intend to only leave a morsel to nourish the mind.
Articles suc as this, and the ensuing responses, leaves me thankful, in th knowledge that the spirit of debate is still an integral part of the South African social fabric.
(It must however be noted that the possession of an opinion, and an ability to type, does not neccessarily make one a skilled debater, in any breath. Now should you question what that statement infers, probability is I’m referring to you.)
That being said.
Today’s judgement is an indication to all South African’s that we should never accept any issues, as termed by another, ’sacrosanct’, and thus beyond scrutiny, investigation and debate.
Today, a fellow peer and friend of the Judiciary, delivered judgement so incisive, all learned friends shall be fully cognisant it shall resonate right through to the corridoors of Tuynhuis…
In as far as Zapiro, and his faithful lackeys go?
I have noticed with some amusement the derision of opinions of those that took exception to the cartoon.
Stupid, Dimwit. The ingenious vocabulary continues…
I propose that the very reason that the author penned this piece, is she did get the message upon first glance. As an avid reader of Zapiro, as she has evinced, I have a fait level of confidence that she understands the satiric cadence he entertains as he flirts with that metaphoric line between satire and the great beyond…
This time however, the mark was truly overstepped… which leaves me wondering, post judgement…would Hoggard ever turn on one of his own…
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on September 12th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Hmmnnn … I think it’s worth just re-iterating here that Judge Chris Nicholson made it very clear in his judgement that it was based on a technical argument, and wasn’t in any way an indication of the guilt or innocence of the applicant. He also highlighted how strange it was that, in a “bilateral” crime like corruption, only Shabir Shaik had been tried in this case, and that corruption is like a cancer in our society.
His finding that there was evidence of political tampering in the whole Zuma debacle proves the judgement was impartial, which is what we would expect from an independent judiciary - and does not indicate that Zuma is blameless.
The fact that an impeccable judgement proved the judiciary to have remained independent in the face of threats of civil disturbance and violence is to the judiciary’s credit, and does not dismiss the point made by Zapiro in his cartoon.
We may be living in interesting times, but we are also living in dangerous times. When the executive of the governing tripartite alliance calls for charges against one of its members to be dropped unconditionally in advance of a judicial ruling, and the president of the ANCYL vows to “crush” any opposition to Jacob Zuma becoming president of the country, we need to be very alert. The issues raised in the cartoon remain as valid this week as they were last week.
Zapiro, I would argue, remains a bastion of free speech in very turbulent times. I support unconditionally his right to comment on the political situation as he sees it, and the right of the Sunday Times to have published the cartoon. The fact that nothing is sacrosanct plays both ways - and Zapiro unfailing claims our collective right to open discussion on the issues. That, I believe, was the whole point of the cartoon.
**Anyway, good luck with you PhD in Medunsa.
I am also doing ‘Master of Veterinary Science’ at James Cook University.
I, too sincerely need your wishes for my upcoming exams.**
I have always wondered about your name….
It is obvious that you are not South African and come to think of it you could only be an Australian if you are currently doing a Masters Degree of Veterinary Science at JCU - or perhaps you are just going to “borrow” one of their degrees?
Or perhaps you would care to explain further maybe?
Siphiwo Qangani with kangaroos on September 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
@Siphiwo Qangani with kangaroos
Sorry my friend I must reply in the negative in all.
I do not smoke - sorry.
I am no position to help you “snatch” your much needed “degree”
Actually knowledge is power is it not? JCU in Townsville is the only campus offering a masters in any of the Veterinary disciplines - and no places will be offered until next year to foreign students - which I believe most saffers are?
Perhaps you also should give up that strong stuff you are on - or at the very least, make your prevarications non contestable perhaps?
Care to join me down on the Mall for a coffee - or…… just some fresh air?
SHut up. And ont ever ask Jonathan Zapiro such stupid questions.You are studying for your masters in jornalism, so what? what does that have to do with anything. Just because you’ve had enough of his cartoons doesn’t mean it’s enough for us. The man expresses himself in the way he knows best. He can draw that shower cap or a swimming pool on his head if he wants to.So please share your views with your classmaates.
Hey! Take it easy pal!!! Where does this rant coming from???
Zapiro deserves to be condemned; why should he be protected (by people like you) as if he’s an extinct animal.
He cannot wear political gloves, throw punches in the audience and be left uncondemned. If he wants to fight politics, he should join the political battle (in the battle field) amongst other politicians.
I’m saying it again, Zapiro is─ nowadays─ pale shadow of his former self.
The rape cartoon depicted the justice system being gang raped, rape being an ultimate metaphor for exercising power by the rapist.
The next act by the Zuma Cabal (that is now the people depicted as the accomplices in the cartoon} will be to make sure that the prosecution of Zuma is stopped. I guess the time is right to see the next cartoon…the actual rape. Power obtained…mission complete. The man that wanted his day in court will never see the inside of a court after that.
The new law, applicable to Jacob Zuma, will go into the statute books soon after the election…maybe before.
After the enactment of the “Zuma Law”, he will be able to rape and pillage the coffers and resources of SA for two terms. In the end, he will be able to walk away scot-free and a very rich man, able to support many more wives
Somebody needs to say something about the DA’s new logo. It bears a striking resemblance to the one Barack Obama used…the circle, the empty top half, the lines at the bottom, I mean really…the whole concept.
But who am I to discourage them from nicking it? Beg, borrow or steal a victory!
In the air is all this ‘Change we can believe in’ like Zille speaking Xhosa, Lekota Afrikaans and soon we’ll hear Zuma speaking the Khoisan language.
The Malema turn around is so, so….? welcome? lame? overdue? scripted? sincere? late?
Sandisiwe Vilakazi on November 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
i was amused by the DA logo. yes, it’s definitely a knockoff from the obama campaign.
zille speaking xhosa is nothing new, btw. she regularly gives interviews in xhosa. one of the conspiracy theories among nguni-speaking da supporters that i know is that a major reason that zuma is dragging his feet to debate zille is that she will debate in xhosa, which would be disastrous to the anc. [keep in mind that in addition to the xhosa-speaking zille, sandra botha speaks sotho as well.]
lekota is from the free state. i would be suprised if he *didn’t* speak afrikaans, actually.
i would like to see zuma speaking !nama or !kung. that would be interesting. of course, he probably can, but asking for a wife doesn’t count.
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When I saw the cartoon, I did not (honestly) for one moment think that here were some “black” men doing the raping. All I saw were certain groups and individuals pursuing a political agenda that has implications for justice in South Africa.
Just a question: can anyone present even one legal mechanism whereby Mr. Zuma is not tried or, if convicted, does not go to prison. And explain how it would work, any why it is lawful. (Of course, if any pre-trial judgments go his way, or if he is acquitted on the merits of the law and the evidence involved, then this wold not apply.)
I am not particularly interested in whether he goes to jail - I AM concerned about HOW the law is applied and justice functions.
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