Latest news with #Zapiro
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
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: — 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]
News24
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘An extraordinary few days': Franschhoek Literary Festival kicks off with Town Hall ceremony
The Franschhoek Literary Festival takes place from 16 to 18 May 2025. The festival features panels, interviews and other presentations from well-known authors and other noteworthy figures. This year's participants include Antjie Krog, Bibi Slippers, Caryn Dolley, Africa Melane, Deon Meyer, Jonathan Jansen, Zapiro, and many more. Book lovers from far and wide are descending upon Franschhoek for the annual literary festival from 16 to 18 May. The Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) had its opening ceremony on Thursday night at the Town Hall, hosting authors, festival organisers, local school representatives and Stellenbosch municipality officials. 'It's so exciting to be back here, and we have an extraordinary few days to look forward to of open dialogue, rigorous debates, illuminating conversations about boundary pushing South African literature, connection through stories and ideas, and of course, the big difficult conversations that matter,' said programme director Jennifer Blane. 'The FLF is a space where writers from country, continent, and the wider world share the stage, bringing fresh perspectives on the most urgent, relevant and thought-provoking topics of the day,' she said. 'None of it would be possible without our remarkable South African writers. Your courage, your talents, your hours of hard work are what make it accessible, vibrant, relevant, and timely and full of life.' 'Thank you for your fabulous books. They have been such a joy in this programme.' READ | Coming to FLF: Love, death and Tupperware in Salt Water Pool Boy – read the first chapter FLF board chair Anika Ebrahim said at the ceremony: 'As we start this festival in a world of hard things, this literary festival provides the stillness that we need to open our minds and our hearts so that we can better make sense of it all.' 'In my experience, these three days have always helped me to consider new perspectives, to be more tolerant, to expand and deepen my own understanding,' she said. 'Books, writers, readers, thinkers and discourse do that. It facilitates that. It's essential to the life of a community, to the life of a country, to a people. It's essential for harmony.' Grattan Kirk, CEO of Exclusive Books, also spoke about the role of literary events like FLF in the local book industry. 'These types of events are really important for us and our brand,' Kirk said. Festival director Candice Kerchoff also spoke about the FLF's schools programme. The festival works with four schools in the area. Grattan Kirk, CEO of Exclusive Books, at the opening of the Franschhoek Literary Ontong/News24 'The festival supports the employment of four facilitators at those schools. So, that means the libraries are not a white elephant. Kids are visiting the library there regularly, and it's part of the curriculum.' They also challenged the facilitators to introduce book reviews to the schools. The students' reviews, which were in the form of words and colourful drawings, were displayed in the hall. The festival, which marks its 18th year, features panels, interviews and other presentations from well-known authors and other noteworthy figures. This year's participants include Antjie Krog, Bibi Slippers, Caryn Dolley, Africa Melane, Deon Meyer, Jonathan Jansen, Zapiro, and many more.
