Pretoria - Continually complaining about Ayanda Mabulu’s controversial artwork is only going to promote it, ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini said on Friday.
“I actually don’t have a problem with that person who did that sculpture (painting). We are not going to continually talk about that person because he is going to get support,” she told reporters in Pretoria.
Dlamini was leading hundreds of ANCWL members marching from Pretoria central to the Union Buildings in defence of Zuma’s “dignity” which they said had been denigrated by the controversial painting by Mabulu.
“If we continually attack her (him), he will get support. Artists must work hard on their own to get recognition, but what they are doing right now is to steal what they have,” said Dlamini.
She said when the march reaches the Union Buildings, there is going to be speeches and a memorandum will be handed over.
“Our message is that South Africans must defend the revolution. They must not just move with everyone who has never proved love for South African people, who disrespect adults. There is no way we are going to allow people to disrespect adults,” she said.
“If people want power, they must work for it.”
The march on Friday would also commemorate OR Tambo month.
Some women were wearing their trademark green and black uniform while others wore yellow ANC t-shirts bearing an image of President Zuma’s face.
Several vehicles arrived on the scene, escorted by police vehicles with blue lights and the National Traffic Police. Numerous bodyguards were milling near the protesting women.
In a statement earlier this week, the ANCWL said: “We condemn the denigration of the image of President Zuma by so-called artists. For example, recently the portrayal of the President’s genitals in the mouth of a woman”.
In recent years there have been a number of paintings depicting Zuma’s genitals, sparking outrage in certain quarters and heated debate around freedom of expression and respect for the rights of individuals.
This week Zuma’s son Edward said he was upset by the denigration of his father and warned that he would “deal with” Mabulu if ever they were to meet.
African News Agency
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