Support pours in for Zuma over painting

CAPE TOWN, Monday

Support has continued to pour in for South African President Jacob Zuma over a vulgar painting that depicts him with his genitals exposed.

Support gained momentum after the African National Congress (ANC) launched an urgent court case to stop the display and distribution of the painting from the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg and the website of the City Press newspaper.

Some cabinet ministers threw their weight behind the ANC, urging the gallery and the newspaper to remove the portrait dubbed “Hail to the Thief II.”

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe called for a ban on the painting, saying a criminal case should be opened.

“If that thing is called art, it is an insult to the dignity not only of the president but any human being. The dignity of the president has been violated,” Radebe said.

Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile said while the government believed in the right of artists to freedom of expression, it should not dehumanise fellow citizens.

“If an artwork doesn’t respect reconciliation, it doesn’t contribute to nation building. We can’t have a situation where we are insulting each other every day,” said Mr Mashatile.

In its latest attempt to stop the display and distribution of the painting, the government issued a statement, ‘‘calling upon the Goodman Gallery to take down the offensive artwork and further calls upon the media to stop publicising the untasteful portrait.’’

‘‘We also call upon the media to be more circumspect in what they publish as we rebuild a South Africa that was ravaged by apartheid.”

(Xinhua)