What has the SABC got to be scared of? For the second time the South African Broadcasting Corporation has pulled the documentary on political satire. Initially planned to be aired before the elections on April 22, it was withdrawn with the so-called excuse that it lacked balance. Slowly the powers that be at the SABC built up the courage and it was announced yesterday that the SABC would air the show on SABC 3 at 20:30 (Special assigment). Excitement built up during the day. Alas this was not to be. Somebody got cold feet again. Shortly before the show was to go on air, SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that the documentary would not be aired “owing to the fact that due process with regards to consultation has not been concluded” and “Because of the problems encountered previously with this particular episode, the acting GCEO Mr Gab Mampone in his capacity as editor-in-chief will need to make the final sign-off.” More Zapiro cartoons on the SABC

There had been questions asked over the last couple of months with regards to the state of the South Africa economy, with some saying that South Africa is not in a recession like other countries in the world. But today, the truth we revealed: South Africa is officially in a recession.

South Africa sank into its first official recession in 17 years in the first quarter of 2009, with a huge 6.4% collapse in gross domestic product (GDP). The drop in GDP in the first quarter follows a fall of 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of declining GDP.

What this simply means is that times are going to be tougher for us now in South Africa. With the economy not growing, you can expect further job cuts, therefore if you do have a job, it would be a good idea to try keep it! One has to also look at their spending now. Gone are the days on splashing out on luxury goods. In the famous words of Reserve Bank governor, Tito Mboweni, “It is time to tighten your belts!”

Economists predict that this slump will not last long with some going as far as saying the South Africa economy will start to grow again as early as the third quarter of this year. But for now we have to bare the brunt of a recession!

What does it take to get a position as a Goodwill Ambassador? - Ask Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who has been appointed African Union Goodwill Ambassador and Champion for the Improvement of Maternal and Child Health in Africa beyond 2015. It certainly can’t be due to her track record as Health Minister. South Africa was one of the few countries where the rate for mother and child mortality got worse and this happened during Manto’s time as Minister. So can we come to the conclusion that it must be the publicity created by Zapiro’s cartoons of her. Take a look at more Zapiro cartoons of Manto by clicking here

According to some scientists dynasaurs could have eaten each other to death. According to Zapiro’s cartoon of the 17th May 2009 in the Sunday Times, suggests Godzille aka Helen Zille leader of the Democratic Alliance is self-destructing by eating herself while Zuma and company are chuckling away in the background. Since winning the Western Cape, Helen Zille has ‘risen to the bait’ thrown out to her by the ANC youth league (ANCYL) and and the MK veterans. For more Zapiro God-Zille and other cartoons click here

Verbal sparring, political mud slinging and threats between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the ANC particularly the ANCYL and MK veterans leads to “toilet level” of politics as shown in this Zapiro’s cartoon. For more Zapiro cartoons click here

I am highly disturbed by Helen Zille’s remarks about the President of the Republic. How can you comment in such a way about the head of state? Her remarks were absolutely uncalled for and daring at a head of state. What upsets me more is the manner in which Jeremy Maggs sees nothing wrong with this woman. In his line of questioning he only makes note of the youth leagues retaliation. How in the world can you in this country appoint and all white male cabinet and then say they are best fit for the job? It is another way of wanting to keep this Western Cape white as a possible and every time she seems to promise the coloured electorate of big dreams.

I, in no way condone the remarks of the Youth League but I understand their anger towards this neurotic woman who is in on a one way course to send this province to the depths of hell. With major changes coming to Cape Town I am really considering whether this province will be able to accommodate black people like us here. Her continued remarks even in the past have always surprised me like when visiting one of the townships she remarked that we “blacks” should return to the Eastern Cape in buses we came with .

Mr Zuma is the President of this country and as a head of state he deserves the respect .

Fezile
Cape Town

I was outraged when I was reading the The Star newspaper this morning and I saw a headline saying, “Bulls fan says she was verbally abused”. When I saw the headline, I thought to myself - what could this all be about? I was thinking along the lines of a woman rugby fan being verbally abused by a bunch a drunk fans at the stadium. But that was not the case as this story was about a black woman who was verbally abused by a Bulls fan at Loftus on Saturday where she went to watch the Bulls take on the Cheetahs.

According to the article, the woman was told, in Afrikaans, the the Union Buildings were on the “other side” - which the woman understood to imply that she and her niece were not wanted at Loftus. The article does not say if the man was white or black but it is pretty obvious that it was a white man saying this to the woman. “You should go to the inauguration of the president at the Union Buildings, you shouldn’t be at Loftus,” is what the man said to the black woman.

We all know that the Union Buildings were a hive of activity on Saturday as Jacob Zuma was being inaugurated as the new president of South Africa, meaning that this man may have been suggesting to the lady that she should be at the Union Buildings where she would be welcome as she is not welcome at Loftus. Why should she have gone to the Union Buildings? Because she is black?

I myself would not be surprised if this story is true and this actually happened to the black lady. I have always had the impression that Loftus on a day the Bulls are playing is not the best place to be if you are a black person as you will be in a serious minority. Granted that rugby is a predominantly ‘white’ sport but does that mean a black fan of rugby should not feel comfortable and welcome when they decide to go out and watch a rugby game? If my memory serves me correct, a similar incident happened to a black fan when they went to watch the Springboks play rugby. Why is it so hard for blacks to be able to freely enjoy themselves at a live rugby match?

I am a big rugby fan and have watched a lot of live rugby at Newlands in Cape Town and I have never for one day had a ‘racial’ problem there. I have yet to watch rugby at Loftus but after reading this story today, I am having doubts about going to watch rugby at Loftus as I am black. Is it just a Loftus and Coca-Cola park thing?
Should this be the case? NO! I should be able to go, watch and enjoy myself at any rugby venue in South Africa that I please. I am also paying just like the other fans who are there regardless of their colour.

Critics of Jacob Zuma have generally reacted positively to both his inaugurul speech and his cabinet announcements. As a result, Zapiro in his latest cartoon for the Times has temporarily suspended the “showerhead”. Click here to see the full cartoon

Jacob Zuma announced his new government on Sunday. There were a few surprises and some restructuring in the ministries The full list of the new ministers can be found below together with a video of President Jacob Zuma announcing his new appointments. Let us know what you think of this new team.

Why does Zapiro continue to draw a showerhead coming out the back of Jacob Zuma’s head when Zuma was accused and acquitted on rape charges in 2006? The reason for the ’showerhead’ is that Zuma said quite categorically that he would avoid the ill effects of intercourse with an HIV-positive individual by taking a shower afterwards that gave birth to the now well-know extension. This has become Zuma’s trademark. While it has been reported that future Zuma cartoons will still have the showerhead, Zapiro’s Sunday Times cartoon of the 10th May 2009 offers him a solution to get rid of it- try being truly presidential and maybe it’ll just fall off - Click here to see the cartoon that kicked it all off.