A Bow To The Stronger Sex

A Bow To The Stronger Sex

To the being that carried you for nine months in her womb, the being that's been there for you from day one. To the being that stayed up all night because you felt like throwing mini tantrums, to the being that chased away monsters in your room...

Take a bow, for she deserves it.

This is the being that taught you to utter the words 'mama', patiently showed you how to tie your shoe laces, packed your first ever lunch box to school. She told you to "eat your veggies", taught you how to brush your teeth, polish your shoes.

This is the being that worked extra hard to ensure that you get only the best. She sacrificed her dreams for you, went through humiliation to put food on your table. Took on any job so she could support your dreams. This is the being that was told she's only good with pots and cooking utensils. The being that was relegated to a supporting role by society. The being that was told to "know her place"

Take a bow… it's the least you can do.

To the being that put up with your teenage-hood 'wisdom', the being that listened to your shallow ideas when you thought you were 'cleverer'. To the being that knew it wasn't alright even when you claimed otherwise. This is the being that told you it'll be ok when everything else indicated the opposite.

This is the being that can take on almost any role. She's been your doctor when you were sick. You're teacher when you needed one. She's been a financial adviser, a true friend when you could do with one. She's been your therapist, sometimes a dad when the need arises.

Take a bow… it's her month.

She is a woman, a mother, a sister. She's a comforter, a fighter. She rocks the cot and conquers the corporate world. She cooks gourmet meals and still takes on the world with ease. She's a disciplinarian, a lover. She is, a woman.

Take a bow to the stronger sex.

When We Were Black

We were told we're less humane, that we had nothing to contribute to society, that we were primitive. Our culture, values, norms and way of life was looked down at. Heck, even our names weren't good enough.

When we were black, we were told where we could live, work, what we could and couldn't own. We were told what we could and couldn't study, whom we could associate with.

When we were black, 'n pritag taal was shoved down our throats, all because of someone else's insecurities. When we were black, we revolted, we fought against a system, we fought for change.

When we were black, we got humiliated.

Heck, we're still black. We're still waiting for books to be delivered to our school. We're still waiting for that school you promised,  that university, that hospital, that road.

We're still black, we're still waiting for that better life for all. We're still black, and still waiting for clean, running water.

When we were black, we were humiliated

We're still black, we're still humiliated. Even more humiliating is that the humiliator is black, humiliating fellow Afrikans.

When we were black.

When you fly those three jets for one trip, when you sign that lease deal, when you issue that tender, when you behave like a skhothane with public funds, keep this in mind…

At some point, you and I were both black.

Brett Murray's Portrait: Because it's wrong!

Brett Murray's Portrait: Because it's wrong!

Art is a beautiful thing. It has been used to communicate our feelings. To ask questions when no one dared to ask. It can be controversial, it can be entertaining, thought provoking, it has been used in joyous moments, it has been used to communicate our hardships, it's been used to comfort us during those hardships.

Art is a powerful and important aspect of society. So important that our constitution even endorses and attempts to protect the practice of art as a trade. Hence we have a "freedom of artistic creativity" forming part of the freedom of expression.

It is then up to us, the lovers of art, both consumers and artists to respect it. To tread carefully, and always consider the implications of our works. This brings me to Brett Murray's distasteful portrait of Pres. JG Zuma at Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg.

In an attempt to get my point across, I will refer to President Jacob G. Zuma as Jacob of Nkandla, without the President title. This, I hope, will help us to see that Brett Murray's portrait is plain wrong. The artwork is not wrong because its subject happens to be a Head of State, no, it's wrong because it's wrong. No right is absolute, because if that were the case, then the planet would be in chaos. Thus, even if the constitution endorses freedom to artistic creativity, artists still need to ensure that they do not trample on others' basic human rights while caught up in their own creative bubble. The 'artwork' in question, appears to be an attack on Jacob of Nkandla's private person. It is distasteful. It belittles him as a man, a husband, father and grandfather. When I saw the 'artwork', I could not attach any connotations to it, except for that it was disrespectful. It undermines him as a being. It is wrong.

Let's just for a second assume that Jacob Zuma is not a president. Let's assume he is someone you know. Your doctor, neighbour, friend, a homeless man at the park, or a convicted rapist. Would it have been well received? Would your neighbour's kids appreciate seeing their father like that? Would you want your friend to be depicted in such a manner? Would the rapist's family appreciate such art?

I doubt if the Human Rights Commission would allow a homeless person to be depicted in such a degrading manner. It is wrong.

I'm not sure what message he was trying to get across. I'm also unsure as to whether that message was received. What I do know however, is, that is not art. That was an attack on Jacob of Nkandla as a person. It is a violation of his personal space. What happened to respecting our elders? There is no excuse for that. That is not art, that is arrogance, ignorance, false knowledge and their cousins and siblings all wrapped up in a moron.

 Having such a piece in public display is an insult to other artists. It is wrong. It should be removed from a place where people showcase their God given talent.