Over the last days this painting has claimed airtime on every news station in South-Africa, it has been a point of discussion on every social networking site and has even drummed up international buzz - so for those of you don't know what has happened - Painting(part of collection) was hung in Goodman Gallery for all to see, President and ANC feel offended and demand it be taken down, obviously being the 21st Century the Goodman gallery stood it's ground and used the legal footing to have it remain hanging pending the outcome of a trial - in front of 3 Judges no less in one of the Highest Courts in our country - Unfortunately there were some elements in our society who felt it their right to vandalize the artwork! Clearly they do not understand the concept of "Freedom of expression" thankfully the internet allows things to live on eternally - in your face!
There are strong opinions made by many on this subject: Taken from Business Day Article by Sam Mkokeli
The DA sees Mr Zuma’s legal action as an attempt at censorship. Dene Smuts, the party’s justice spokesman, says a defamation suit— rather than an interdict — would have been the right course of action. She also sees double standards in the ANC’s outrage.
She describes the painting as a brilliant work of political satire. "South Africa has been descending for some time into a censorious mind-set that is taking us further and further away from the free speech which is fundamental to our democracy," she says. Mr Zuma and the ANC took no action when a "depiction by Ayanda Mabula — also portraying the exposed private parts of both President Zuma and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu — was exhibited in Cape Town," she says.
The debate about the painting and its defacement on Tuesday demonstrated yet again how strong, and at the same time how fragile, South Africa’s democracy is. Only last week a protest turned violent, when the Democratic Alliance (DA) marched on the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ offices. Are these signs of growing political intolerance? Or the spin-offs of unhealed wounds, as the Rainbow Nation grapples with life after apartheid?
The African National Congress (ANC) has taken offence over what it calls a racist provocation by Mr Murray. The painting is part of an exhibition, Hail to the Thief II, that aggressively drills home the point of a hijacked struggle, with crass materialism motivating the elite governing South Africa.
One piece, President and Sons Pty (Ltd), tells a well-known story. For Mr Zuma’s son, Duduzane, was part of a failed empowerment scheme that would have made him an instant multimillionaire. Complaints about Mr Zuma’s children and relatives getting empowerment deals under his presidency originate from the ANC itself. -------
I personally have no issues with the artwork, the message I take from it is that our president chooses to live his life - especially private sexual life - in the spotlight, let's not forget that his cultural beliefs are to be a polygamist so fair enough - but he had various sexual scandals - the shower incident prior to his inauguration, several instances since then. Apart from that there were charges pertaining to corruption that just magically got dropped, there are lots of things that would allow Mr Zuma to fall under the expression:" Got caught with your dick out your pants"
I don't know what exactly Brett Murray wanted to relay to the masses through his piece but nevertheless I would assume that it relates to his own opinions and beliefs - shouldn't he be allowed to express his beliefs???
Yesterday the court case was delayed because the ANC's Lawyer broke down in court - Big freakin whoop their argument is that Mr Zuma's personal dignity has been tarnished - Firstly I feel that any individual that chooses a life in the spotlight - whether it's politics, music, theater, acting, porn,writing,producing etc - you have to be willing to take the good with the bad. Take the Hollywood A-list for example, they have to sit idly by and watch weekly as their worst private and public moments are captured and sold to the highest bidder - these images are often of an explicit nature and rarely flattering. We don't see all of them making an issue of their civil liberties being violated - yes they huff and puff and often express their dissatisfaction/disgust with whatever's going on but they accept it as part of the package.
This whole thing has been turned into something completely different from what it is: Artistic and personal expression is now yet again being turned into a Race issue - How can this be?
South-Africa has one of the world's most culturally diverse populations, Apartheid has been over for 18 years - so why does everything seem to linger back to this crappy part in history, and why is it that we find every major news story in this country being turned back to this? I personally don't get it - In most traditional african culture the man is still seen as the dominant force and command's the most respect - it is uncomprehensable for his manhood to be depicted in paint - yet the women in many of these cultures still walk around bare breasted???? Contradiction in standards hmmmmm I wonder.... Not that Western cultures don't have areas of hypocrisy in their tradition, double standards blah blah, isn't the point of evolution to move forward and grow?
Whether we like to admit it or not we live in a different world today - a world where the individual should be celebrated, a different opinion should be allowed to be expressed without prosecution, a compromise should be able to be reached. Do we not expect respect and tolerance of others? I do.
I sincerely hope that this whole debacle stops getting too much attention - as a South-African I feel there are far more pressing issues - Poverty, Service delivery, Education, correct implementation of BEE, Not using 2 Billion Rand to change street names but rather to build homes for the poor, Social and Cultural cohesion, Corruption, Crime, Rhino Poaching,the list goes on.
But again who am I to highlight other issues - I'm just a drop in the ocean that makes up society.
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