Zuma cartoon: Worth a thousand words?

Brilliant Zapiro and absolutely spot on, maybe this will make those depicted see a little sanity but I doubt it they are all wearing blinkers.

It's odd how when so called "leaders" bash the judiciary (or any other entity they don't like) with a blatant and mindless assault because the purport of the law shows their cause to be fraught with moral degradation, then they chant that judges are not beyond reproach and are nothing more than humans, as susceptible to public criticism as any other. Yet, when what amounts to nothing more than a clever doodle shows the crony thugs of the ruling party in their true light – then Comrade Zipario has over stepped the line.

Zapiro, (or should I say Zaphero) you are a true freedom fighter, a valiant and courageous South African. Keep it up, we'll fund your legal bills if needs be.

Thank God we have some people brave enough to stand up and fight for freedom and justice in our beloved country.

Congratulions to Zapiro. This cartoon will go in history as one of the best political cartoon of our time.

Its ridiculous and unbelievable to think that freedom of expression is being crushed like this. as long as any form of satire does not represent its statements as fact, they should e allowed to say anything. Look at the programs being shown in the UK, like Have I Got News for You, and Mock the Week [sic]. They make jokes that go as far as calling celebrities and politicians pedophiles or mass murderers. But its in jest, and its all necessary, so that we don't take our politicians too seriously.

zapiro has cashed his cheque.

The extreme to which this cartoon goes is the measure of the seriousness of the present situation. Zapiro reflects the concern of all thinking and civilised people.

Shapiro’s thinly veiled racism, aided by a sad case of misogyny, exposes the man for what he is: a gifted, though, at times, somewhat controversial satirist who perilously straddles along the line between social commentary and bigotry. Because of this, Shapiro’s ardent followers – some, fringe supporters of moral and social righteousness and equity, find resonance in what, for all intent and purpose, remains morally neither unjustifiable nor defensible. Alluding to the sexual assault of a woman, in a society ravaged by rape, for the purposes of satirical pleasure – or, some argue, as the Democratic Alliance does “to shock ‘leaders “to their senses”’, perpetuates the myth that, when it comes to rape, violence against women - or any violence for that matter, there just might be some method to the madness – and it works. That the courts have not formally cautioned against Zuma’s allies – or made clear references to legal infringements or assaults upon the constitution – begs caution against wanton remarks or depictions. For, as much Shapiro enjoys, and exercises, his right to free expression, weighing the rights and emotions of women, victims of rape and other injustices, more so in a highly traumatized society, equally matter.

GOOD WORK ZAPIRO!!! I have been waiting for so long to see SA citizens practising the so called " freedom of speech". But now im blessed and you know what Im still waiting for more to come ... I mean more to be revealed in the manner Zapiro did and next time i would be glad if he works in relation with anyone who will be willing to contribute such as Mondli, Sunday Times editor since he approved Zapiro's actions to show support!!!

There is no better way of summing up all this hullabaloo about Zuma and the judiciary. Classy cartoonists are there to innovatively provoke debate.surely a large section of South africans think that Zuma and his ANC are trying to manipulate the judiciary. This is what i call positive humour- funny but makes us think.Zapiro, you are in the class of your own.

There is nothing wrong with telling our leaders who sometimes think they are half gods that they are like anybody else except that they happened to follow a path that lead them to ruler-ship.
However we should also stop considering Zapiro as an angel or a saint chasing with his cartoon weapons the evil leaders of this world. Zapiro is a human. He is not immune to bias, prejudice or stereotype. He has leaders he likes or hates like any of us. His cartoons and opinions are not gospels.

I think i will give Zapiro benefit of the doubt but we are really tired about the man with the shower on the head week in week out, if you have personal problems with Zuma please you should not fight them on readers expenses. there is a lot that is happening but right now Zapiro is possessed with damaging Zuma's image I think someone is paying him

Ha I love it... Hows that now for screwing a justice system! I admire Shapiro for showing exactly what all South Africans are thinking.

That showerhead is a classic !

It is a sign of maturity - political as well as emotional - that one can accept criticism as well as dish it out. On that basis, Zuma and his cronies depicted in the cartoon come up well short.

Black leaders have been generally ridiculed, called names, humiliated, ostracized and degraded. Mandela who is now a hero in the eyes of the white population could not escape this. Yet we keep on forgiving you. We are constantly reminded that we are black and therefore not leaders and not equal. To be a black good leader one should please you until we are of no use to you. We are angry, after all the cutesy we have afforded you and permitted you to thrive in our own land. Some thing has to give. Look at how violent crime is in our county, yet we claim that we are not racist. When will this end? The leaders ridiculed by Zapiro on Sunday are family men and fathers with children and most importantly they are human beings like you not morons or baboons. If and only if you want a future for your own kids and our kids in this country, repent.

CONGRATULATIONS ZAPIRO, ON ONE OF THE MOST EXPRESSIVE and IMPACTING PUBLICATIONS EVER!
Long live freedom of the press and expression!
Modern refined society CLASHES with fatalistic & paternal primieval tribalism.
After seeing so much biased TV shots where a hall of thousands sitting horrified, but portrayed as a heaving dancing crowd by showing only those two front rows filled with paid supporters - in the university.
A couple of thousand rural followers who do not comprehend democracy, but believe that the "house of traditional leaders" and tribal kings still are above all, are portrayed as mass movements of sheer violence.
Marches through the city of Johannesburg, which comprise bunches of people fewer in number than the daily collection of municipal street cleaners in Library Gardens, but shown across national TV and all media and acclaimed as massive stayaway successes.
The confused media really is divided, with one side in pursuit of a specific objective contrary to the wellbeing of the average citizen and the other side trying to express the full comprehension of democracy with it's inherent rights.
General education (lack of it) lies at the root of this evil.
DEMOCRACY HAS NOT REALLY ARRIVED IN AFRICA YET!

I think Zapiro deserve a national order award for this honest creative work, and it is time those who think they are untouchable and above the law wake up. Its ironic that mr. Zuma says the judiciary is not above criticism but he cries foul when under criticism himself.

Well done Zapiro

For anyone on the outside looking in the Zapiro cartoon is 100% spot on in many, many different ways.

You'd need more than a thousand words to explain the cartoon - more like volumes.

This single cartoon on it's own says everything that concerned journalists and commentators have been trying to say while grappling with words and expressions in the hope that they would not be misunderstood. We all understand what's going on. There is absolutely no question.

Well done Zapiro. Come what may you have clearly and succinctly put the problem on record for posterity.

This must be the cartoon of the decade!

Viva Zapiro Viva. You are the real revolutionary. When the ANC is reversing all the gains built by real revolutionaries like Mandela, tambo, Mbeki Govan and Thabo, Kgalema and so forth. your cartoon was refreshing. they will hide behind racism. continue to speak freely. Viva Zapiro Viva

The Freedom of Expression Institute's Jane Duncan has got it wrong about defamation... and does not serve her organisation's mandate.

The depiction of rape in the cartoon is entirely incidental, and coincidental, and has nothing to do with Zapiro.

To quote from the article: 'Zapiro said the blindfolded figure of justice was an allegorical figure going back centuries.'

"The fact that Jacob Zuma has this personal history is his problem," he (Zapiro) said.

To Sikhanyiso Kubheka, you have got it wrong. This is not about ridiculing a leader because he or she is black. It is about driving home a point in a cartoon that is satirical, and not meant to be funny, that Zuma and his cronies are going all out to violently attack – ie, rape – this country’s judicial system. And that should be of deep concern to every South African – white, black, coloured, whatever… Zapiro also used to attack, and still does attack, white leaders who act like idiots.

So to attach a racial tag to this cartoon is equally idiotic. The cartoon is not about race. It is about a man who has said he wants his day in court, and then has done everything possible to stay out of court. It is about his cronies who have promised to “kill for Zuma”. It is about Zuma himself saying nothing to counter what Malema and Vavi have said. In fact, Zuma has a habit of keeping quiet – until his supporters have done their work.

He allowed them to shout “Burn the bitch” during his rape trial, and only said “sorry” after the trial. He allowed his supporters to heckle Mbeki during Polokwane, and only said “sorry” after he’d won the election.
And now, he says nothing – until, and in the hope – that the courts will be cowed by the threats. Then he’ll “condemn” the attacks.

Now, if you think that this sort of behaviour – and having unprotected sex with the daughter of a friend – is what you want in your leader, then God help us all.

In passing, this land is not “yours”, nor is it “ours”… this country belongs to every South African, irrespective of their race, colour, creed, religion, age, religious persuasion, ability or disability, level of intelligence, or any other factor. Other people aren’t South Africans on your sufferance.

Honestly that was one of Zapiro's greatest works ... it clearly depicts the recent past, and near future political issuses ...
ZUMA must not think he is above justice ... after his statement in The Mercury this morning, " We must respect judiciary but it needs to transform " it seems to look like he thinks he is above the justice system.

The justice system is the way it is because it is above NO ONE! ...

This comic caused immense discussion at school today, and it should be realised by all, the ANC's attempt to muzzle the newspapers is an absolute insult to our democracy. Freedom of speech is by far one of the most important human rights we all have ... Its a scary thought to think that in other countries in the past whenever the ruling party has controlled the media it was associated with numerous atrocities ...

Congrats to Zapiro for his expression of speech ...its a fair representation of current affairs ... and i think its a safe decision to say that any negatives brought on by this cartoon are due to their (the people in the cartoon) acts in the recent past

I am against the so called freedom of speech, but the way our people do practice this freedom which is conatined in our book of constitution, is not good and itself against the law. Now it look like Zapiro is sticking his success in ANC President Mr Jacop Zuma. Now he is doing what we call personal vandate. it good he is practicing his freedom and right to say what he likes, but PEOPLE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS SECTION 36 WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE LIMITATION CLAUSE meaning The right of a person maybe limited if the right from being practice will cause a harm to the other person who the right is practice upon. Zuma righ and freedom to Dignity is infringed by ZAPIRO

I studied Journalism and practised it for about 6 years. The main reason I left the proffession was more or less what Zapiro is doing. I am all for telling the truth, the whole truth. I also know cartoonists have a special way of carrying through particular messages across. I believe in press freedom, but I also know that such freedom goes with responsibility. He may say that he doesn't see anything wrong in his cartoon, but deep I think he's realising that he's caused some tension. The question is, what if this tension escalates into something big, will he then say he's sorry. To me its the samething like what another cartoonist did (and if my memory serves me well it happened in Switzerland, where a cartoonist made a drawing depicting Prophet Mohammed (May peace be upon him) as terrorist. That was offensive. Finaly I do not believe it is in the media's business to be offensive just to drive a particular point home. The cartoon was rude, offensive, because it also further fuels the cries of those who says Mr. Zuma has been tried and sentence in the public courts. He was found innocent on the rape charge. For Zapiro to have drawn that cartoon, he further perpetuates that Nxamalala is a rapist despite being found innocent by the same judiciary that some claim is under attack, as if the Judiciary is infallible

Remember what I once said before, in our country, we have tendency of using race when critising. I mean look at the racial composite of the people who commented. It does not take a rocket scientist to deduce that, predominately Africans have critisise this cartoon and predominantly White South Africans are for (remember I am talking about those who commented in this site about the cartoon. We still got a long way to go to unite this country. I still maintain that, I AM ALL FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, BUT IT ALSO COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL. Because, if I were to say that white South Africans (in general) have never, ever acted on high moral ground, if one considers the past we come from. That would be out of line,some might say,but wouldn't it be my way of expressing myself. I am using this example to demonstrate, yes, we have freedom of expression, but it is also equally imperitive to use this Constitutional given right with responsibility

Well done Zap! Now the ANC and their cronnies finally understand what they are about.

I am some kinda indifferent on this one, in that I think to some extent Zuma is being prejudiced based on the past case, and thus making him look like a "rapist" which the court hasn’t found him guilty of. And continuation with depiction of Zuma with a shower head is negatively affecting him as a person and continuously reminding people of the rape case. the question is, why should people not forget about the case as the man has been found not guilty? does Jonathan has any ulterior motive.
having looked at some of the cartoons that Jonathan has produced in the past , being a Jew and still able to attack Israeli government, and lastly his mother was involved in SA politics to such an extent that Mowbray ANC branch , which I was part/member of; was named after her mother ( Gabby Shapiro Branch in Durban Road in Mowbray). This branch is one of what the media called the strongest branch in the country that it had five cabinet minister as members; Kader Asmal and Sue V.d Merwe being members. the point that I a trying to state is that ; I really with the credentials on Jonathan’ background, I don’t think that he is anti ANC but has just pushed boundaries that we aren’t comfortable with; like the new style of the ANC leadership. We have been used to something and suddenly the new leadership do things differently and the rest of us feel uncomfortable, like criticizing the judiciary!!
And when we argue that we are equal before the law? If it is the case; why should it seem that JZ is being treated differently before the court than any other citizen, ? in that when he has to appear before the court then people want his case to be dealt differently! I remember Thabo Mbeki when he said” there isn’t any law for ANC member s and different law for the rest of the citizens”!
We have seen that those in tripartite alliance condoning the above!!
The bottom line from me; is that although graphically the cartyoon could be offensive but the message in it is true, in that; We want to change the law for one person and him only; JZ;
Now getting to the cartoon at hand; my biggest questions are:
1. Should Zuma not have had problem with the rape case before and Jonathan produced the same cartoon, could it have created the same uproar as it has now?
2. Should we be taking it literally that JZ is a 'rapist'? And if that is the case, then that is what has caused this out-cry from ANC! What are cartoon for?
My problem with the ANC NEC members is that they recently want to;
• Be politicians and judges at the same time and now
• They want to be politician and cartoonists at the same time
My point is that they want to impose their way of seeing things; onto other people which totally unacceptable as there are many people hold different views from them ( ANC). If this cannot happen then we will find ourselves in the very situation as in Zim, where if you are not a member of ruling party and share the same view with them, then one would be subjected to extremes of verbal abuse including violence and torture to the extreme. Are we heading that way?


One of my friends asked me; “dont you think that the Cartoonist is being insensitive to the elders like Mantashe?” My question is the same like the one that Mampara Columnist in Sunday Times asked sometime ago when SABC CEO objected to Mantos expose on getting drunk in the hospital and thus giving him the right to pull SABC from Journalism Forum. The columnist asked the relevant question, we tend to respect the elders when it suits us, in that the very same CEO ( while advocating the respect of leders) apparently had an affair with one of the “elders” thus causing our beloved father his family? So where from here? It is a fair question” Who are our elders? When people play double standards!
I would take some issue with Obama and JZ cartoon in M&G on acceptance of the presidential nomination, I don’t think JZ’s children, wives and lawyers can compete with Obama 84 000 seater stadium. The question one would ask me is ; “ are you taking it literally”when Jonathan probably is just saying JZ has many wives,( more than one is many, for some) children and Lawyers? Maybe the question is correct and relevant! How I answer it, I don’t know!

Cleaved down the middle (or maybe 75% / 25%)between the supporters and non-supporters - like everything. Fact of the matter is if the odd 75% had to say something against the continued assault on the judiciary et al then maybe they can be taken seriously in their comments on this cartoon. Up until then we await with baited breath of the retelling of history a la Martin Meredith. And the pressure continues to mount.

This is very sad, as much as I support the right of individuals to exercise their right to freedom of speech and expression, I think Zapiro have gone too far. I don't know how other people feel about women, but I respect women and their status and role in our communities.

I find it difficult to believe that Zapiro is justifying his cartoon on the basis that he consulted with some women, I don't think that is enough. I am not sure whether he is trying to say if a women is raped by a man with total support from women is that justifiable, because he had support from other women.

Why out of everything on earth Zapiro chose a women to express his views on the current Zuma's crises? I have been trying to think about all possible answers but none of them is closer to give me a relief. I think Zapiro's perception about women is clear.

Zapiro, your article does not make anyone to turn against Zuma but to support him more. My message to you is that, by portraying women as the battle of all thought of violence, you are not doing any good to our country,instead you are taking us aback in our fight against women and children abuse.
Please stop making funny out of women, you are not gender sensetive, if you were dying to use rape to express your views why you didn't use one of the male Judges to portray justice instead of a woman. May be the women you have consulted on this cartoon have personal vendetta against Zuma and they never think objectively, and what they were interested on was that there is Zuman's picture on the cartoon.
Do you want to say,if a white man make a racist statement against black man, with the support of another black man does that mean the statement cannot be regareded as a racist statement because a black man is in support of the statement? Please, with due respect Zapiro you must apologise before is too late.

Where do we get contact details for the "Press Ombudsman"?

Thanks goodness the vast majority of all people remaining here in RSA want to see a non racial democracy develop. As hard hitting as this cartoon is, it must be acclaimed as one of the best to have been construed ever, throughout the world.

Ok, I see alot of ignorant people that think making such a disgraceful cartoon something, that has political weight, big up to all those opinionated "cartoon/satire and media speacialists" of you. I know that as creative person you work with deadlines AND you have to deliver something extraordinary. However, someone tell me why couldnt Zapiro show Zuma STRANGLING "Justice" or even TORTURING her? Why RAPE? Didnt Zapiro know better than that, I love Zapiro cartoons but this cartoon, basically didnt have any grounds whatsoever (it only displays his hatred for Zuma). We have alot of illiterate people in SA, for someone that doesnt understand SA politics or has a understanding for underlined messages, this would be directly translated to his rape trial (like it or not, because not everybody is open minded and creative, nor is it that everyone understands the actuall message, think for all people). Whoever thinks this cartoon is accurate has a problem with accuracy them selfs...And in addition it was not funny...Did anyone laugh at this cartoon (regardless of your opinions about this?) well I didnt...it made a mark, it raised my brows and opend my mouth...but didnt make me laugh, so where is the point? (whereas cartoons are there to make us laugh? Am I wrong?) Freedom of speach is not for egocentric people like Zapiro, we are all SA'ns and we all should consider the differnt cultures and how they will understand this cartoon (which Zapiro obviously didnt consider)a Black person will understand this cartoon in a differnt way as a person from another race, what audience was he targeting? However, I do understand the context/message of this cartoon, BUT Zapiro aint trivializing the weight or mishaps of our Leaders,Celebs,...etc which cartoons are known for, he is trivializing the situation SA in a very tastless way and which is no help to anyone...In my opinion, Zapiro has the right to draw what ever he feels like, but in this case it should have been something you buy in a BOOK store, but don't get it published on national news papers.

The cartoons are a stroke of genius! So apt...so to the point...so prolific...so poignant! Viva Zapiro!

Its clear that when the supposed sensitivities of a "leader" are aroused by cartoons that there is something concerning at play. This is rather Putinesque and sounds like a veiled threat to literary criticism that increases the threat of Journalist perogative going forward. I dread to suggest that the days of independent journalism in South Africa could becomming under a new wave of attacks from a ruling party significantly insecure in its mandate of having the peoples support. The ANC has been recast with the development of COPe and the rising maturity of the DA. I suspect that whilst they may end up being the largest party at the next election the true nature of that insecurity will not be lost on the voters. There is something somewhat elevated about leadership that feels secure in having cartoons run about their various antics without responding, they seem to have the presence, good sense and integrity of leadership that is aspired to. Mandela resonated with it. Sadly the neutered ZUMA ANC has very little of it...