Zapiro is a busy political cartoonist these days, with our nation’s, erm, leaders providing more than ample fodder for his sharp wit. DStv subscribers will be able to enjoy his ZA News – a satirical puppet TV show based on his drawings, created by Thierry Cassuto – on Summit TV as of today, March 2nd 2010.
The Summit clips will be the same as those aired on the internet – see below for a sample!
A satirical puppet show, the brainchild of cartoonist Zapiro and producer Thierry Cassuto, will hit the screens tomorrow evening, after it was yanked from the SABC line-up two years ago just before it was to debut on the state broadcaster.
The project had been partially funded by the SABC, which spent R1-million to create a pilot video in 2008, initially called ZNews. It was never screened, with the SABC citing finances and the sensitivity of viewers before pulling out of project.
At the time the show was canned, Jonathan Shapiro, better known as cartoonist Zapiro, said he was not surprised.
1. We know you’ve answered this question before, but a lot of people would still like to know: How do you do it? Where does your inspiration come from?
I am inspired by the crazy events around me, and just when I think it can’t get any weirder, it does. It’s a passion for the politics and the fabric of a society that drives cartoonists, and I am no different. At the same time I always keep my eyes open to the metaphors coming through in pop culture, films for example, as it has become more of a popular vehicle to express my views on what is going on around us.
Zapiro is messing with the president’s head again – this time over rumours that Jacob Zuma is set to pardon his erstwhile financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, and South Africa’s not-so-erstwhile symbol of pure, prime evil, Eugene de Kock.
Zapiro published a new version of his “Lady Justice rape” cartoon earlier this month, and it caused the predictable level of uproar.
Just before his latest pointed gambit with the pen, Zapiro appeared on Karabo Kgoleng’s SAfm “Afternoon Talk” programme – and among the subjects up for discussion was the decision by the radio station’s parent company, the SABC, to can an episode of Special Assignment that showcased some of Zapiro’s cartoons.
Hayibo.com scores again with another beauty: this time they’ve released the new year’s resolutions of some of South Africa’s most famous/notorious characters, Julius Malema, Joost van der Westhuizen and President Zuma amongst others:
Julius Malema
1. Lose 20kg.
2. Blame whites for failure to lose 20kg.
3. Blame whites for forcing imperialistic measures of weight onto African culture.
4. Urge the masses to adopt new Afro-centric aesthetic for stomach fat. Invent new substance, combining Ubuntu and cellulite: ubuntulite. Translation: I am fat because you are fat because we are both senior cadres and therefore get a lot of free food. Amandla!
Hayibo.com – the news site with a sense of humour – takes an alternative look at some of the highlights, and lowlights, of the past decade with a series of “extracts” from the diaries of Zuma, Dan Brown, and Osama Bin Laden amongst others.
Hayibo. Just watched Obamas inauguration on TV. Still bummed that my invitation got lost in the mail. But, wow, talk about giving me ideas for my own big day. I was initially thinking I would go with something traditional – like a rendition of Umshini Wami and a stripper jumping out of a cake but, having seen the scale and sophistication of Obamas shindig, Ive changed my mind. Among other things he had a Chinese guy playing a massive violin. Trevor Manuel said his name was Yo, Jou Ma. Typical Trevor: you can take the boy out of the Cape Flats, but you can never take the Cape Flats out of the boy.
In today’s Mail & Guardian – the final edition of 2009 – there’s a splendid double page spread featuring Zapiro’s top ten cartoons of the decade (as published in the newspaper), a real keepsake from the noughties!
The paper also carries Madam & Eve’s annual, full-colour, full-page “The Night Before Christmas” cartoon. Sneak previews of both in the snaps above!
Our favourite stocking stuffers for 2009 are, of course, Jacana books – including the hilarious Best of Hayibo.com. But the writers at Hayibo have other ideas; here are their top gifts for the season:
Barack Obama doll, now with super “Spineless” feature
Want change you can believe in? Seeing is believing with this awesome (in)action figurine of the US President. Pull out his easily detachable spine and watch him flip-flop this way and that, saying “Yes you can!” to both Banker Doll and Unemployed Doll. (Afghan troop surge sold separately. Batteries and victory not included.)
Monopoly
The old favourite updated for South African fans. Play as Telkom, Eskom or Armscor and try to lose all your money as fast as you can.
Medical Parole
A new version of the evergreen anatomical brain-teasing classic, Operation. Get spotted outside your Durban mansion and go to jail ? or not! One minute you’ll be mortally ill, the next you’ll be down at the Spar buying milk. It’s a Christmas miracle!
Zapiro is a busy political cartoonist these days, with our nation’s, erm, leaders providing more than ample fodder for his sharp wit. DStv subscribers will be able to enjoy his ZA News – a satirical puppet TV show based on his drawings, created by Thierry Cassuto – on Summit TV as of today, March 2nd 2010.
