Publications
Cape Town - The new painting of President Jacob Zuma in traditional garb and with his genitals exposed has drawn a mixed reaction.
Eyewitness News reported that the painting by Ayanda Mabulu was part of an exhibition entitled “Our Fathers” at the AVA Gallery in Cape Town.
The painting called Umshini Wam (Weapon of Mass Destruction) was apparently the big draw card to the exhibition and on sale for R75 000.
While some art lovers said they didn’t see a problem with the painting, others said it was disrespectful of African culture.
But Mabulu says of the painting: “[Zuma] is a representative of the ANC, which as a political party from my perspective, now represents its own interests, and less so, the interests of the people.
“Through this painting I respectfully, as one of his children, ask my father why he is starving us. Why he is negating his duties to his children, the citizens of South Africa?”
Meanwhile, the ANC condemned the painting, calling it “disrespectful”.
"We condemn this painting in the strongest terms. Any portrayal of President Zuma in this way is disrespectful," ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza told the Mail & Guardian.
"It makes a mockery of the president's office, his status as a father and a husband, and is an absolute abuse of the arts."
Eyewitness News reported that the painting by Ayanda Mabulu was part of an exhibition entitled “Our Fathers” at the AVA Gallery in Cape Town.
The painting called Umshini Wam (Weapon of Mass Destruction) was apparently the big draw card to the exhibition and on sale for R75 000.
While some art lovers said they didn’t see a problem with the painting, others said it was disrespectful of African culture.
But Mabulu says of the painting: “[Zuma] is a representative of the ANC, which as a political party from my perspective, now represents its own interests, and less so, the interests of the people.
“Through this painting I respectfully, as one of his children, ask my father why he is starving us. Why he is negating his duties to his children, the citizens of South Africa?”
Meanwhile, the ANC condemned the painting, calling it “disrespectful”.
"We condemn this painting in the strongest terms. Any portrayal of President Zuma in this way is disrespectful," ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza told the Mail & Guardian.
"It makes a mockery of the president's office, his status as a father and a husband, and is an absolute abuse of the arts."
