Cartoonist Zapiro receives honorary doctorate, calls University of Pretoria's recognition ‘particularly special'
'It's really pleasing for me to see my cartoons being used in our schools and universities as teaching aids,' said Zapiro.
Cartoonist Zapiro was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate in Education by the University of Pretoria (UP). Picture: University of Pretoria/X
South Africa's most celebrated cartoonist, Jonathan 'Zapiro' Shapiro, has described receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Pretoria (UP) as particularly special.
'It's really pleasing for me to see my cartoons being used in our schools and universities as teaching aids and in exam papers and textbooks,' said Zapiro to the university.
The Honorary Doctorate in Education was conferred on Monday, 19 May as part of UP's Autumn 2025 Graduation season (2 to 29 May), during which more than 12,000 students will graduate.
#UPGraduation2025: Renowned cartoonist Zapiro has received an Honorary Doctorate in Education from UP during our Autumn 2025 Graduation season. His work, used in schools & unis across SA, inspires critical thinking & discourse. Read more: https://t.co/NOHkEKYQ6g pic.twitter.com/n2v56QzUY7 — University of Pretoria (@UPTuks) May 20, 2025
'It's therefore particularly special for me to be receiving an honorary doctorate in Education.'
ALSO READ: 'Viva, freedom of expression' – Zapiro after age restriction for 'The Showerhead' overturned [VIDEO]
The documentary
Zapiro is set to give some local school and university talks before flying to Australia for a screening of The Showerhead, a documentary about his journey as a cartoonist.
In 2024, before The Showerhead's release, South Africa's Film and Publication Board (SAFPB) decided to give it a 16LNPSV rating.
The Appeals Tribunal ruled that the initial 16 LNP (SV) rating was unwarranted and gave it a more sensible 13 L (SV) rating.
'I thought the rating was silly,' Zapiro told The Citizen at the time.
The Showerhead chronicles Zapiro's journey, from his beginnings as a liberation artist and political detainee during apartheid to his rise as a champion of freedom of expression.
The documentary is directed by Craig Tanner and produced by Anant Singh.
ALSO READ: Zapiro calls age restriction on his film 'silly' [Video]
Standing up to bullying
Zapiro said the previous rating from the SAFPB reminded him of the dark times of apartheid.
'The wording of the panel and the reasoning reminded me of the old publication and control board. As someone in my mid-60s, I've lived through that era, and I've had drawings of mine banned and publications in which my drawings appear, also banned,' Zapiro said at the time.
Facebook and Instagram recently took down some of his cartoons, including one in response to US President Donald Trump withdrawing critical US aid agency funding. He drew Trump in a Nazi uniform, sending out an AIDS vulture to kill millions of Africans.
This led to a conversation about Harvard University refusing to relinquish freedom of speech to Trump.
'Why does it take the richest university in the world – and why has it taken so long for educational institutions and other institutions – to say 'No!' to Trump?' he asked.
'The bullying and censorship going on in America that we are all seeing is so damaging and pervasive, and I would like to see some other big institutions following Harvard's line. If they don't, the Nazi-style purge of knowledge and the culture of diversity will extend to many more universities, museums and art institutions.'
NOW READ: 'Viva, freedom of expression' – Zapiro after age restriction for 'The Showerhead' overturned [VIDEO]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Ernst Roets claps back at being age-shamed at 39
Former AfriForum CEO Ernst Roets has clapped at critics who age-shamed him over his appearance. The outspoken Afrikaner activist is known for his controversial comments about On the X app, Ernst Roets' age recently became a hot topic. The grey-haired Afrikaner activist who sports a beard has recently come under fire over his comments calling out South Africa's 'racist laws' and 'land grabs' in relation to the Expropriation Act. X user @i_likebrandon posted: 'Today I learned that @ErnstRoets is 39, but he looks 50! It's almost like lying about a white genocide adds a decade to your face'. Another – @verashni – shared: 'Why does he act like an old man? This also means AfriForum made him deputy CEO when he was 26. On his own account, Ernst Roets clapped back at the shaming comments. He sarcastically posted: 'People here on X are angrily complaining about the fact that I'm 39 years old. I'm going to put your tweets on the invitation to my 40th birthday party. Thanks a lot!'. Meanwhile, Grok has claimed that stress and pressure are behind Ernst Roets's 'accelerated aging'. The AI chatbot responded to a question on why Ernst appeared older than his age: 'Perceptions of Ernst looking 60 may stem from stress, as his high-profile activism with AfriForum likely involves intense pressure, which can accelerate aging signs like wrinkles or gray hair. Public scrutiny and media portrayals might amplify a mature image, shaped by his controversial stances. Genetic factors could also play a role, though no specific evidence confirms this. It continued: 'However, age perception is subjective, varying by viewer, lighting, or photography. Some X comments suggest political bias influences these views, with critics linking his appearance to his beliefs. Without medical data, the reasons remain speculative, blending stress, genetics, and subjectivity'. Ernst Roets was born in 1985 in Tzaneem in Limpopo. After matriculating in 2003, he pursued an LLB at the University of Pretoria. In 2009, he married his wife Lelanie, the mother of his four sons. In 2011, Ernst, then 26, was appointed as the Deputy CEO of AfriForum, an organisation promoting Afrikaner rights. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
When bromance turns sour: the hilarious digital feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump
The budding bromance between US President Donald Trump and SA-born billionaire Elon Musk is over Image: Graphic/Se-Anne Rall Breakups can be catastrophic, and when they happen on a global stage, they morph from private heartbreaks into public spectacles. Add social media into the mix, and it's a full-blown circus. Such is the case with Elon Musk and Donald Trump, whose relationship has unravelled in a way that's equal parts cringeworthy, comedic, and political chaos. The Trump Elon break up is totally expected news. — Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) June 6, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Since Musk's exit from his government role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on May 30, the gloves have come off. And while most breakups involve a few sharp words, maybe an awkward run-in at the grocery store, this one comes with viral tweets, passive-aggressive barbs, and a nation's economic future hanging in the balance. In true breakup fashion, even the ex got involved. Ashley St. Clair, Musk's former partner and mom to their 9-month-old son Romulus, couldn't resist throwing shade. On June 5, she tweeted, 'Hey @realDonaldTrump, lmk if u need any breakup advice.' Brutal. The feud has turned into a digital slugfest, with both men dredging up old posts to prove their points. Image: screenshot/X Cue the internet to lose its collective mind. One TikTok user dubbed it the "first messy breakup of Pride Month," and another quipped, 'So bad things are happening in America?' Even St. Clair's subtle shade couldn't overshadow the drama unfolding between Musk and Trump, two men who seem hell-bent on proving that the real fireworks of 2025 will be on Twitter or 'X,' as Musk prefers to call it now. The gloves are off. Musk, who was once one of Trump's biggest allies and financial backers, didn't hold back. He blasted Trump's new spending bill, calling it a 'deficit-fueling behemoth' and accusing the president of betraying conservative principles. "Without me, Trump would have lost the election," Musk declared on X, adding, 'Such ingratitude.' Trump, never one to let a perceived slight slide, fired back on his own platform, Truth Social. He claimed Musk's departure wasn't as amicable as it seemed. 'Elon was wearing thin,' Trump wrote, accusing Musk of 'going crazy' after learning the electric vehicle mandate was being cut. Elon: I got Trump elected Trump: I asked Elon to leave and maybe I'll take away his government contracts Elon: Trump is in the Epstein files — Stephen Sanchez (@SSanchezTV) June 5, 2025 The president of the United States of America even brought Musk's beloved EVs into the mix. "I took away his EV mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted," Trump said, painting Musk as a scorned ex who just couldn't let go. Social media is the new battlefield. The feud has turned into a digital slugfest, with both men dredging up old posts to prove their points. The feud has turned into a digital slugfest, with both men dredging up old posts to prove their points. Image: screenshot/tiktok Musk reposted Trump's 2013 tweet criticising Republicans for raising the debt ceiling, sarcastically commenting, 'Wise words.' He even questioned whether the current Trump is a 'body double,' wondering what happened to the man who once championed balanced budgets. Trump, on the other hand, accused Musk of changing his position only after his EV interests were threatened, claiming, "Elon knew this bill inside out and had no problem with it until it hit his bottom line." hey @realDonaldTrump lmk if u need any breakup advice — Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) June 5, 2025 If their exchanges seem petty, that's because they are. But the stakes are anything but small. Behind the snarky tweets and veiled insults lies a growing divide over America's economic strategy, with Musk railing against what he sees as reckless spending and Trump doubling down on his legislative agenda. Dirty laundry and public spectacles; the public has been eating it up. From TikTok to Twitter, the internet is awash with commentary on the feud. Breakups can be catastrophic and when they happen on a global stage, they morph from private heartbreaks into public spectacles. Image: Screenshot/TikTok 'They're airing out their dirty laundry like it's a reality show,' one user joked. But in reality, this isn't just tabloid fodder, it's a messy clash of egos with real political consequences. For now, the fallout continues to unfold in real-time. Musk has made it clear he's not backing down, calling Trump's policies 'a disgusting abomination.' Meanwhile, Trump has hinted that Musk's attacks are only going to escalate, saying, 'I don't know if we will [have a great relationship] anymore.' Elon Musk and Donald Trump, whose relationship has unravelled in a way that's equal parts cringe, comedy, and political chaos. Image: screenshot/Tiktok
The South African
7 days ago
- The South African
Piers Morgan and Bill Clinton clash over Biden's health
Piers Morgan, the outspoken British broadcaster, set social media alight with a scorching attack on former US president Bill Clinton. The reason? Clinton's unwavering support for Joe Biden's health and fitness for office. Morgan, never shy of a headline, called Clinton 'delusional' and even questioned the former president's own cognitive state. 'This is either staggering delusion, wilful blindness, or President Clinton himself is now suffering from serious cognitive decline,' Morgan thundered on X. The drama kicked off after Clinton appeared on CBS Sunday Morning to promote his new memoir, The First Gentleman , according to Express. During the interview, Clinton dismissed claims that Biden was in decline while in the White House. When pressed about allegations from the explosive book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again , Clinton stood firm. 'No. I thought he was a good president. The only concern I thought he had to deal with was, could anybody do that job until they were 86?' Clinton said. He added, 'I had never seen him and walked away thinking he can't do this anymore. He was always on top of his brief'. But Piers Morgan wasn't buying it. He shared a Fox News article and unleashed his trademark fury. The internet, as expected, erupted. Some supported Morgan's blunt honesty. Others accused him of stirring the pot for clicks. Clinton, for his part, brushed off the controversy. He insisted he'd never witnessed any signs of cognitive decline in Biden. 'I didn't know anything about any of this. And I haven't read the book. I saw President Biden not very long ago, and I thought he was in good shape,' Clinton said. He even questioned the motives behind the book's release, suggesting it was 'a way to blame him for the fact that [Donald] Trump was reelected'. As the Democratic Party faces scrutiny for allegedly hiding Biden's condition, the world watches. Clinton's defence may have backfired, fuelling more questions than answers. Morgan's words echo across continents: 'Is it delusion, or just politics as usual?' One thing's certain. In the world of power and politics, the battle for truth is never dull. As Morgan said, 'The public deserves honesty, not fairy tales.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
