New Zuma penis cartoon triggers outrage

Just weeks after an ANC ruling condemned an artist’s painting which showed South African President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed, a South African newspaper has published a cartoon which depicts the President as a penis.

The cartoon, which was created by renowned cartoonist Jonathan Zapiro, shows the President as an erect penis who is looking at himself in the mirror at an art gallery. Unsurprisingly, this latest depiction of Zuma has sparked the same kind of anger and outrage that its predecessor did.

"We find it unacceptable and shocking after the harsh experiences that South Africa, the president and his family have experienced a few weeks ago that Zapiro and the Mail and Guardian will find it appropriate to continue with the insults and hurt the president..." the African National Congress said in a statement.

Zapiro has defended his cartoon, calling it "scathing but humorous."

"It's also serious commentary about a seriously flawed, hypocritical leader," his office promptly stated.

The cartoon is a mocking reference to the lawsuit that the ANC brought against the Johannesburg gallery for displaying the painting which featured the President with his genitals exposed. The portrait, which was titled "The Spear," was a creation of South African artist Brett Murray and was vandalized by Zuma supporters earlier this year.

To further illustrate its point, Zapiro’s latest cartoon is even accompanied by a limerick which makes its position all too clear: "Though sex is his publicised sport, Zuma took the dick-painting to court, suing Brett’s free expression, confirmed the expression, he’s as big a dick as we thought!"

This is not the first time that Zapiro and President Zuma have come into conflict. In fact, the two will be facing each other in court in October over an entirely different cartoon, which depicted Zuma about to rape a female figure (undoubtedly a reference to allegations made against the President that he raped a family friend).

"Dissident views are essential for real change. Irreverence toward leaders who take themselves too seriously is a vital part of democracy," the cartoonist said in reference to a recently launched ANC forum which attempted to create a social dialogue between the divided race groups of the country.

The ongoing obsession with the President’s genitals appears to be sparked by his renowned and widely condemned polygamous lifestyle. In 2005, he was charged with the rape of a 31-year-old woman who was known to be HIV positive.

Zuma did not help his public image when he stated in court that he took a shower after what he claimed was consensual sex, in order to reduce the risk of catching HIV.