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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2012 20:47 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2012 20:47 |
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How many political lives does a Zuma have? And just how many ways are there to skin the said Zuma? I'm not sure about the lives but when it comes to skinning this particular cat I know who I'd ask. One Jonathan Shapiro -- or Zapiro -- as per his pen of-deathly-satire name. While our president is the master of saying what everyone wants to hear and committing to nothing, Zapiro has a knack for pinning him down on the less than savoury aspects of his character. Jacob Zuma depresses as he impresses. An Ipsos Markinor poll released earlier this month revealed that, while the Obamas of this world plummeted in popularity, Zuma's approval rating increased since he took office from 6,1 to 7,6 on a scale of 10. Low expectations will do that for you. Things were going well for the man even the opposition called "charming" while criticising. But then he appeared on e.tv last week in an hour-long interview that may have just shattered that cautiously growing respect. He presented the worse kind of doublespeak in response to questions about pardoning Schabir Shaik, his former financial adviser who was found guilty on two counts of corruption and one count of fraud. If you watched the interview you would recall his arrogant attitude to the many questions put to him by interviewer Nikiwe Bikitsha (also a columnist for the Mail & Guardian). While he began in his usual convivial manner, his irritation manifested itself in the ugliest sort of patronising attitude towards Bikitsha as the questions heated up. "Thought Zuma treated the excellent Nikiwe Bikitsha like a little village girl in e.tv interview last night," said one Twitter post in the aftermath. "Offensive and patriarchal." "Why should I pardon him when he has not applied? I have nothing in front of me," he kept saying, with a jarring smirk. When Bikitsha pointed out that the application was said to have been made he skirted the issue again, insisting he couldn't comment before applying his mind. "If there was an application before me, you should ask the question. Why should I respond if I do not have the application before me?" The presidency later confirmed that the application was, in fact, before the president, along with 300 others. Shortly afterwards the M&G broke the big story revealing Shaik's medical records, proving what South Africans have long suspected -- that the medical parole the favoured and politically-connected prisoner was granted was based on a false report of his supposed "terminal illness". Being the fall guy for the big cats certainly does come with perks.  CONTINUES BELOW The article, published on January 15, made a big impression. But a public long jaded by systemic corruption turned defeatist just when I expected them to rise up in anger. Eighty-seven percent of respondents in our M&G poll said the article "confirms what we all know but won't change anything". Less than 6% thought it would negatively effect Shaik's bid for a presidential pardon. Which is why I have such respect for the cartoonist I mentioned at the beginning of this column. In the heat of the discussion, when the pressure is on for Zuma to do the right thing, Zapiro is using the full force of his power as a commentator to tip the scales in the favour of justice with this cartoon:  January 15 2010 Depicted alongside Shaik is Eugene de Kock, apartheid's "prime evil" that Zuma is suspected to also consider pardoning as a trade-off to letting his friend off the hook. The cartoon carries the weight of the first time Zapiro used this motif in September 2008 in his highly controversial "rape of Lady Justice" cartoon, when attacks on the judiciary had reached an all-time high from the ruling party and its alliance partners. The cartoon showed Lady Justice being held down by the leaders of the ANC alliance partners while Zuma unfastens his belt.  September 08 2008 It caused waves. Lesser cartoonists would have sat back, happy with the impact they had made and perhaps a little daunted by the millions in lawsuits pending from the presidency. Not Zapiro. In the weeks and months that followed he used the motif again and again, in reference to the independence and sanctity of the judiciary in our country.  September 12 2008 And lest he be accused of targeting only the Zuma-ites ...  September 17 2008 And it wasn't all bad news:  January 16 2009 The Zuma of his imagining has evolved with his role in the public eye ... his eyes growing increasingly slanted and villainous and the showerhead clamped firmly to his head. As Zuma made the right noises early in his presidency the shower head was removed. But it veers closer in each cartoon, depending on Zuma's actions of the week. Forget the Ipsos Markinor rating; this is the real measure of Zuma's success.  April 03 2009 When it comes to corrupt activities in our government, most sit back in disgust. "This is Africa," we say sarcastically, throwing our hands up helplessly. Not Zapiro. There is a strong possibility that his contribution to the debate will stay Zuma's hand. That's a lot of power in one sketch. As of Monday morning the ANC and its alliance partners have not responded and only the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) have made the obligatory incensed statements. To refresh our memories: after Shaik was jailed Thabo Mbeki seized the opportunity to sack then-deputy president Zuma. The man made the mother of all comebacks to replace Mbeki as the country's number one. Political life two of nine? Not if Zapiro has anything to do with it. Read Michael Trapido's Thought Leader post on the Zapiro cartoon published by the M&G on Friday. TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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