From bad to verse: Zapiro overstepped line again

WHERE do we draw the line in terms of freedom of expression – whether we are artists, cartoonists, linguists or politicians?

Surely there are guidelines and parameters within which all must function. And we should have the sensitivity to know when these borders have been violated.

For anyone to indiscriminately do things behind the mask of art at the expense of women who will remain traumatised until their dying day because of their real-life ordeal is unpardonable and insensitive.

Does a minister of religion have carte blanche to say what he wants under the cloak of freedom of speech, regardless of how it impacts on the lives of his fold? As much as a political leader needs to weigh up the pros and cons of speaking his or her mind on a matter, it is incumbent upon all whose utterances and artwork end up in the public arena to consider cause and effect.

Zapiro once more used the metaphor of rape to illustrate what President Jacob Zuma and his cronies are doing to our beautiful country.

Old issues of the Argus and Cape Times are dropped at our school once a week. Pupils from Grade R to Grade 7 are encouraged to read these newspapers. Most of them like to look at the cartoons and comics. Is it fair that we expose them to these harsh realities of daily life in what could be considered the rape capital of the world? I wonder what Zapiro’s wife and children say about his disgusting cartoons!

A poem I penned in September 2008 has relevance: ZUMA - ZAPIRO Cartoons are created in anticipation, of setting the tone for controversial aggravation!

But not in Zapiro’s wildest dreams and expectation

had he expected such an outcry for an explanation.

The justice system is illustrated as a women blindfolded which can be debated! In every hand she holds a scale, for the informed this tells an unambiguous tale.

The cartoon goes beyond the limits of acceptability,

leaving a question over Zapiro’s credibility.

Criticism around the provocative cartoon is inflated like a riding hot balloon.

Depicting Jacob Zuma getting ready to rape Lady Justice, while comrades stand around drooling like an ape!

The cartoon is in extremely bad taste, now Zuma’s camp wants to lay Zapiro waste.

It has been dubbed vile, disgusting, crude,

demeaning to all women and oh, so rude.

Has Zapiro overstepped the line? Exceeding press freedom – is this fine?

Tripartite Alliance deplores it! Abuse of press freedom!

Zapiro insists: How can Zuma be sacrosanct? He had no kingdom!

Cartoonists have licence to express controversial views,

supposedly making a satirist’s contribution to the daily news.