How far can artists go in satirising or sending up the powerful? That is the essence of the brouhaha over Brett Murray’s contentious The Spear painting depicting President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed in a pose reminiscent of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin....
issues
Robust discussion at M & G colloquium | by Faranaaz Parker
The M&G in collaboration with Oresego Holdings debated the limits of freedom of expression, bringing together analysts, artists and academics. “We can’t see an African man with his clothes off but at the same time every 10 seconds in this country a woman is...
The need for a paradigm shift: challenges for achieving social justice in a resource-limited world | by Anabella Rosemberg
At the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, it appeared that a global consensus had been reached that there was an inevitable connection between social justice, environmental protection and economic security. Sustainability was the watchword and there seemed...
Leaked documents reveal UK fight to dilute EU Green Energy targets | by Fiona Harvey
Allegations of coalition hypocrisy over green issues as critics say documents show UK has caved in to fossil fuel lobbyists The government has been trying to water down key environmental regulations in Brussels despite trumpeting its commitment to green issues at...
An Explanation by Brett Murray
Artist Brett Murray, in his affidavit, explains why he painted 'The Spear' "At the outset, I would like to say that I am a proud South African and a former supporter of the ANC. I am not a racist. I do not produce art with an intention to hurt, humiliate or insult,...
Israel to jail illegal migrants for up to three years | by Allyn Fisher-Ilan
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel may jail illegal immigrants for up to three years under a law put into effect on Sunday, an Interior Ministry official said, a measure aimed at stemming the flow of Africans entering Israel across the porous desert border with Egypt. "The...
Rocky Road to Gender Equality in Latin America | by Erika Guevara-Rosas
The increased participation of women in traditional politics in Latin America has made headlines for several years now. Last month, The New York Times published an analysis of the 2012 Women in Politics Survey of UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union by Luisita...
Brett Murray painting expression of pure prejudice – ANCWL & Co. | by Troy Martens
Alliance Gender structures says picture should be removed from gallery and the internet RE: JOINT STATEMENT FROM ALLIANCE GENDER STRUCTURES The Alliance gender structures, comprising of the ANC Women's League, Cosatu's Gender committee and SACP Women's League met to...
Egypt’s working class and the question of organisation | by Hossam El-Hamalawy
The nascent trade union movement in Egypt will need to develop political structures for the voices of the working class to be heard in electoral processes. ‘Who is the labour candidate in this presidential election?’ This is a question I have been asked frequently in...
