Today I have really been saddened by the news that the editor in chief of the daily newspaper decided that she would retracted the portrait of Zuma and the Spear that they posted.
What does this mean for the country's constitution and the freedom of expression. If someone as high profiled and powerful like her can be intimidated so easily then I think what hope is there for the "smaller" less infamous people to ever have the courage to speak up and express their opinion.
What saddens me even more is that we have our very own political leaders that are at the forefront of this oppression. Remember this is exactly how the Apartheid started with a few powerful leaders deciding to go beyond the laws and oppress the citizens of the country and a few years later it led to Apartheid. Whats next are the ruling party going to demand that they approve all art ever exhibited in the country or that they clear everything that the newspaper publishes. Well I have one word for them....internet and once its out there you cannot control it. Even if you try you wont be able to stop the freedom of expression that we can illustrate online.
What was Blade Mzimande thinking when he supported the protest of this artwork he is the minister of Higher education what hope is there for the graduates of this country...How about focusing on real issues facing the students in this country like the steep cost for studying or the racial quota of tertiary institutions. Instead of devoting his time to those issues which is what his job title actually is he is wasting his time over a stupid painting.
Truly I am feeling very bleak about the future of South African Democracy.
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