Special Report Transcript Episode 22, Section 5, Time 34:03

Jonathan Shapiro is one of South Africa’s most respected cartoonists ever. Under the name ‘Zapiro,’ his work can be seen every day in newspapers, such as the Sowetan and the Mail & Guardian. Shapiro has produced quite a number of cartoons on the Truth Commission process. // // Some of the cartoons that I do are actually not funny. I don’t primarily aim to be funny. If I can do something with humour that’s fantastic but if not, if I can still make a new connection for the viewer, use some kind of metaphor that will help them to see things in a different light, that’s also great. But there are things that are very funny. I mean there are things about the Truth Commission that can be funny so one can poke gentle fun at them. There are certainly things about the absurdity of the lies of the previous regime and the lies of some of their generals and foot soldiers. That stuff can be very funny as well. // Are some of your cartoons vicious? // Ja, I would say so. People used to tell me that my cartoons weren’t vicious, that they liked them because I wasn’t vicious. But I think through the years I’ve tended to put a bit of a sting into them.

Notes: Max du Preez; Zapiro TRC cartoons; Jonathan Shapiro

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