#ZumaPainting: Politicians have their say

Ayanda Mabulu's latest nude painting of President Jacob Zuma has angered the ANC Women's League.

Ayanda Mabulu's latest nude painting of President Jacob Zuma has angered the ANC Women's League.

Published Oct 13, 2015

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Durban - Political parties have expressed support and outrage at Ayanda Mabulu’s latest nude painting of President Jacob Zuma.

IOL approached political parties on Tuesday for their opinions on the controversial painting titled “Spear Down My Throat (The Pornography Of Power)”.

“This painting is an insult to the president of the country,” said IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala.

“We do not know how much power is given to these people (artists) in terms of the constitution.

“In this painting, individual rights are being violated. Freedom of expression has gone far beyond the rights of a person in this case. The very same person (Mabulu) will not be happy if the same thing is done to them or their family,” Gwala said.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PAINTING. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Professor Nhlanhla Khubisa, secretary general of the NFP, said: “Artists, painters and sculptors have the right to come up with whatever art that they want but that art must be within the respect of one’s human rights. Depicting the president in such a fashion is not acceptable, not only because he is the state president, but he is also a human being. That artist has gone overboard, that painting is derogatory and is tantamount to a violation of Human Rights, as artists must also uphold certain values.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, EFF secretary general Godrich Gardee said: “Protest art has always been a part of South Africa since time immemorial, hence there were bombings of ANC paintings in Botswana.”

“The EFF recognises the freedom of speech and artistic expression of artists. We cannot police freedom of expression; who wears what, what panties they wear or what they paint,” added Gardee.

DA spokesperson Refiloe Nt'seke agreed, saying: “Freedom of expression is such an important and valuable right. Free speech is fundamental to our democracy. If we endorse the policing of the thoughts and actions of individuals and the imaginations of artists and poets, we run the risk of self-censorship.”

“If the president feels that his dignity has been impugned, he has every right to sue Mabulu for damages, just as he has sued cartoonist Zapiro in the past,” said Nt’seke.

The ANC and President Jacob Zuma, the subjects of criticism in the painting, has declined to comment.

However, the ANC Youth League’s Mlondi Mkhize said: “Those who do not like the president have a right to dislike him but everybody should respect the president.”

Mkhize also said that this painting is sending the wrong message about South Africa and stated that the ANC Youth League will take action in light of the nature of the painting but are currently unsure as to what action will be taken.

He added that the matter will be taken to court if need be.

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* We are streamlining comments on this story, so please come talk to us on social media. Our question: Do you agree/disagree with Ayanda Mabulu's representation of South Africa? Tell us why using the hashtag: #ZumaPainting

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