Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize has condemned artists who use their work to insult the leadership of the African National Congress in the name of freedom.
“We must not allow people to abuse our freedom, people who will go around and in the name of art want to start insulting our leaders... We cannot have that,” Mkhize said on Sunday in Durban.
He was speaking at the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) rally to celebrate the union's 25th anniversary. Mkhize was referring the controversial painting “The Spear” by artist Brett Murray which showed President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.
“We must make sure we understand that this will strengthen our contribution to ensuring that this revolution is not diverted by people who are wishing for the good old days of apartheid. Such as FW de Klerk, who speaks about how good it was in the days of Bantustan, which means he is taking the reconciliation for granted,” Mkhize said.
He said those who fought for freedom in this country had made many sacrifices.
“We must not allow those who administered the apartheid to go back and start expecting us to support the notion that apartheid was better than where we are today. The march by the DA, it should never be allowed that somebody must march against the organisation because they disagree with the organisation,” Mkhize said. - Sapa