NEC expresses sentiment of deep pain and betrayal at Brett Murray portrait

RE: ANCWL POST POLICY WORKSHOP MEDIA BRIEFING*

NEC MEETING OUTCOMES

The ANCWL has had an extremely busy weekend, starting on Friday with a very productive NEC meeting at the Airport Grand Hotel in Boksburg. Among other things the undignified portrayal of the ANC President was highlighted. The ANCWL took a decision to defend the human dignity of the President and defend the ANC but more importantly defend the principal for human dignity.

The NEC expressed a sentiment of deep pain and betrayal at the undignified portrayal of the President in a painting by Brett Murray, displayed at the Goodman gallery, on their website as well as on many other websites, including City Press.

The meeting raised the issue of how this painting has opened old wounds in society where the dignity of black people has been callously undermined. The ANC and the Women’s League remember too clearly the fight for freedom in this country, and we were integral in the struggle for freedom of expression.

But foremost in overcoming the scourge of Apartheid was restoring the dignity of “the black man” who was oppressed and made to feel sub-human under Apartheid. This painting displays a distinct lack of respect for South Africa’s constitution where human dignity is a right enshrined in our constitution. Human dignity is not something that can be debated, in a country where our past was fraught with indignity, human dignity becomes a non-negotiable right for all South Africans enshrined in our constitution and a nation building tool in our democracy.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that freedom of expression is a right as well, but this right is not absolute it comes with a responsibility. You cannot express a right to freedom of expression at the expense of the dignity of any South African and this includes the President of the country.

Any person who does not understand why we have to protect the human dignity of our people does not fully understand what is was like to live in a society where dignity was not a right for all South Africans, we need to remind those who have perhaps forgotten why the black consciousness movement of Cde Steve Biko was necessary in a time where black people would be forced to expose their genitals to determine gender because they were not afforded the rights of human beings in this country. This painting has caused a lot of pain for many who do remember, and those who don’t need to be reminded of where we come from as South Africans and instead of going backwards to a situation where the dignity of people are disregarded for the benefit of freedom of expression cannot be allowed. Rather we need to move on as a nation and continue to work towards healing the wounds of the past instead of rubbing salt in them.

The ANCWL noted the bold stand taken by ordinary South Africans who have no direct ties to the ANC, but who felt so hurt and angered by this painting that they felt a need to destroy it. This is an indication of the strong feelings of animosity from the general population of all races towards the undignified portrayal of their president in this painting.

The ANCWL NEC took a decision to defend the dignity of our President and all humanity.  We call on all our members as well as ordinary South Africans of all races, who feel strongly about not only this painting but the bigger issue it represents to join the ANC and its Alliance partners in a march to the Goodman gallery on Tuesday. We will be demanding the painting be removed from every platform it is being displayed. This painting is an icon of destruction towards our unified country and let’s calls for its removal as a unified body of proud South African citizens from all walks of life.

The NEC also discussed the Co-option of new members to capacitate the NEC who has lost members since the last conference due to death and resignation. Seven names were presented for co-option and adopted by the NEC. The NEC took into account generational mix, demographics of the country, alliance partners as well as skills. The following names have been co-opted into the NEC: