There is nothing like the stroke of a pen to lighten a presidential load. United States President Bill Clinton not only lit White House intern Monica Lewinsky’s fire, he was also every cartoonist’s dream come true. A plethora of phallic symbols was sketched, like Zapiro’s version of Airforce One. One US cartoonist went for the obvious with a grinning Lewinsky showing just where she had the president.
To divert attention from his domestic plight, Clinton sent his missiles into the Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq. Back home, our leaders decided to dispatch somewhat less sophisticated military equipment into neighbouring Lesotho to quell what they called a coup. Zapiro’s cartoon of Dad’s Army or the Rambo Nation was a classic. The army was led by acting president Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who gave the final thumbs-up for the invasion.
Buthelezi is increasingly being wooed by the African National Congress, a trend captured by Dr Jack, who drew a coquettish Buthelezi, complete with hair bow and fluffy slippers, being enticed into bed by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.
Cartoonists hold a mirror up for the nation to look at itself. Madam and Eve’s creators tapped the growing paranoia in the ANC and Zapiro made fun of Anglo American’s great trek to London.