ANC statement on the latest in a series of grotesque paintings by Mabula

13 July 2016

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted the latest painting of Ayanda Mabulu in which the President of the ANC and the Republic of South Africa, Comrade Jacob Zuma, is illustrated in a demeaning and hyper-sexualized manner.

The ANC condemns this form of commentary and views it as an abuse of the right to freedom of speech and media. Mabulu’s exhibition is a grotesque act of vulgarity and disrespect; and a blatant violation of the right to dignity of those portrayed.

While the Bill of Rights promotes the right to freedom of expression, the right to human dignity of all individuals – regardless of their standing in society, is inherently of equal value. In our hard-won democracy, it should not be that artistic license should trump or be used as an excuse to trample on the human rights of others.

The ANC also notes that Mr Mabulu has consistently, over a long time, relied on a particular symbolism to advance his commentary. Common amongst these include the portrayal of black leaders in the form of baboons and, as in this instance, crude sexualization. These are all symbols of colonial anthropology that views black people as hyper-sexual beasts who think through their genitalia and are only intellectually competent on a scale similar to baboons.

Members of the public have expressed justifiable anger at these works. The ANC calls on all defenders of media freedom, freedom of expression and the arts to also condemn this excessive conduct; taking place as it does at the Constitution Hill the seat of the apex court of South Africa, which is tasked with protecting the Constitution; and in particular the Bill of Rights. This call extends to institutions such as the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) who must not turn a blind eye on media practices that offend the very principles that they seek to defend.

The ANC wishes to put this on record and will make no further comments on the matter.

Issued by Zizi Kodwa, National Spokesperson, ANC, 13 July 2016