KZN ANC CONDEMNS ARROGANT ZAPIRO CARTOON

30 October 2013

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal pledges solidarity with the South African Hindu MahaSabha, the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, the South Africa Tamil Federation and all Hindus and other South Africans who found Zapiro's Lord Ganesha cartoon extremely offensive and in very poor taste.

It is very unfortunate that the discord between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket SA chief executive Haroon Haroon Lorgat, a matter deserving of legitimate public comment and debate, has been so offensively handled that the focus of the main issue has been lost.

The ANC strongly believes that Jonathan Shapiro's arrogant response aggravates the general feeling of insult. When called to apologise, Shapiro said: "I don't want to come across as brutal. But if pushed, I will, so I don't think I will apologise."

Yes, we are proud of our Constitution which enshrines freedom of speech, but the right to say and do something does not make it right. Rights must come with responsibilities.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal calls on Jonathan Shapiro and the Sunday Times to apologise to South Africans for this insensitive, offensive and distasteful cartoon. The ANC believes in a united and non-racial society which respects cultural diversity and religious beliefs.

Statement issued by ANC KwaZulu-Natal, October 31 2013

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