Cartoonist Andy Mason recently published a history of the art form in South Africa. What’s So Funny? Under the skin of South African Cartooning is the only book of its kind that traces the origins and development of cartooning in South Africa, and its political place in the socio-political context. Brett Davidson recently interviewed Mason and put 5 questions to him.
Recently Al Jazeera English’s media review show, Listening Post, did a breathless profile of South African cartoonist Zapiro and his satirical TV show, ZANEWS. The insert focused on Zapiro’s outsize influence. The country’s president, Jacob Zuma, is suing Zapiro for libel for how he is portrayed in one of Zapiror’s cartoons. But it now appears Zapiro’s reputation can’t even save the show. The producers have had to halt production on the fourth season of ZANEWS because sponsors aren’t coming forward. See here for a report.
I found it interesting for what it might say about viewers, advertisers and satire/free speech in South Africa.
The South African editorial cartoonist Zapiro usually gets all the shine because he so good. But there is also Gado, the Kenyan cartoonist.
A busy week on the personal front (more on that another time) so that means a lot of stuff gets the speed blog treatment.
* First up, a link to the “Parts of Africa” hip hop mix: Fourteen tracks including music by Abass Abass, Da Brains and Daara J. [Link]
