Cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, aka Zapiro, is once again at the centre of controversy. His Tuesday cartoon for the Mail & Guardian shows the inside of President Jacob  Zuma’s mind, with little space left for considerations like “running the country†and the “Marikana reportâ€, and most space taken up with “avoiding prosecution†and “home redecorating†– an allusion to Nkandla.
However, what really got everyone going was Zapiro’s potshot at Zuma’s personal affairs, with a great deal of space in the president’s brain allocated to “finding 5th wife/next mistressâ€.
Writer TO Molefe summed up the criticism of Zapiro, referring to him as a “cultural chauvinist†with “bigoted judgementsâ€, and pointing out that he was classing different categories of things together, as only a “sneering white liberal†would do.
Attached to this online rant was the hashtag #ZapiroMustFall. Not everyone, however, agreed with Molefe’s take – although he did have plenty of supporters.
Some people shared the view that “Zuma opens himself to parody of all aspects of his lifeâ€.
@Sisonkemsimang @robkowa Don’t get offence. Zuma opens himself to parody of all aspects of his life. Darknativeman must be culturally secure
— SaffaZimbo (@SaffaZimbo) June 10, 2015
However, others claimed Zapiro was ignorant of African culture.
@mailandguardian deeply offensive to suggest the President is preoccupied with mistress or 5th wife chase, the way you view African man…
— Loyiso Phantshwa (@NobethaP) June 9, 2015
Zapiro refers to Zuma’s possible next wife as “mistress” because he does not understand how our culture works and is not prepared to learn.
— Themba The Frog King (@Tril_Frog_) June 10, 2015
Using satire to take on powerful figures is always a fine balance. What do you think of Zapiro’s image? Was it fair comment – “punching up†to Zuma’s power? Or a step too far – “punching down†on traditions of non-monogamy? Let us know in the comments box below.
