On
Special Assignment this week:
Episode Title: Political Satire
Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Time: 20h00
Channel: SABC 3
This week Special Assignment asks: is a slow chilling effect taking hold of political humour in South Africa? Is political correctness leading to an erosion of free speech? What risks do political satirists run by ridiculing powerful figures?
The show looks back at the history of political satire in the country, speaking to satirists such as Pieter-Dirk Uys who have made the transition from apartheid-era to contemporary satire and asks a new generation of young comics whether comedy in South Africa has become depoliticized.
Comments that come up through discussions with some young cartoonists imply that it is “un-African” to insult one’s elders.
The show also speaks to international cartoonist Pat Oliphant - himself at the receiving end of criticism labeling him among other things, a racist. Olifant drew former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a parrot perched on former US President George W. Bush’s arm. Like with the notorious ‘Lady Justice’ cartoon drawn by cartoonist Zapiro - Olifant was criticized for his portrayal of Rice with pronounced features such as thick lips.
The episode also asks if there are attempts being made to use South Africa’s courts to silence satire and looks at the multimillion rand lawsuit being brought against cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro by ANC President Jacob Zuma - and what this could mean for the rights of artists to lampoon political figures.
Also featured: the storm around a controversial puppet show, Z-News, which was commissioned by the SABC and shelved before it was broadcast.
Special Assignment is on SABC3 on Tuesdays at 20h00.