The Spear revisited

I’m sure that members remember my post on The Spear painting  which caused so much controversy down here.

In summary the gallery and artist were taken to court by the governing ANC party claiming that President Zuma’s right to dignity under the constitution was infringed. The gallery and artist countered with an individual’s right to freedom of expression. The case was heard, the bench (3 judges) decided that more time was needed than the single day initially set aside (they want 3 days) and that’s where we are, I have no idea for when it’s been rescheduled (if at all.) Perhaps that’s the last we’ll here of it.

In the meantime our Publications Control Board (that’s the people who set age restrictions on movies and suchlike) have decided to slap a 16 age restriction on the painting, causing angst amongst the art fraternity who insist that nudity as an art form shouldn’t be subject to such decisions. Which left me wondering what the clowns would do if Michelangelo’s David ever visited these shores as part of a world exhibition?

Enough of that, as you can imagine the painting has been the subject of numerous e-mails and jokes, I thought that I’d share some of them, first, as a reminder here’s the original… Continue reading “The Spear revisited”

Nando’s, Mugabe & the Chinese take-away

Sipu recently published the latest ad from Nando’s titled “Last Dictator standing” lampooning bob mugabe, if you missed it or haven’t seen it yet here it is , go and have a look, it will help you make sense of this, Wigget’s latest cartoon published today in my local weekend read.

Sipu also posted a comment linking to a Business Day report which stated that Nando’s had been pressured into withdrawing the ad, well they didn’t, I’m pleased to report that I saw it flighted again today, I’ve now probably seen it perhaps 10 times since its launch on Thursday.

Funny enough, all the ads that I’ve seen have had the Chairman Mao (Karaoke bar) scene omitted, perhaps Nando’s Beijing shareholders hold more sway than                                                those up in Harare 😉

Update (Sunday 04Dec. ( pm))

Nando’s have pulled the ad, press release published in my Sunday Times here 😦

Oh! The cartoon, on the next page…

Continue reading “Nando’s, Mugabe & the Chinese take-away”