Zapiro launches Hasta la Gupta, baby near ‘Saxonwold Shebeen’
SAXONWOLD – Zapiro discussed some of his well-known and occasionally controversial cartoons at the launch.
Cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro, has released his latest book filled with a collection of cartoons titled Hasta la Gupta, Baby.
Shapiro launched his book on 27 November in Saxonwold, a nod to the Saxonwold Shebeen, the home of the Guptas.
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The book is Shapiro’s 22nd and features many of his well-known and occasionally controversial cartoons.
“It feels quite surreal to be here, so close to the Saxonwold Shebeen. It feels quite strange to be back here under very different circumstances knowing the country has been taken over from just around the corner,” said Shapiro.
The cartoons, which appeared in numerous publications, reflect some of the most talked about political stories throughout the year. Many of the stories focused on the Gupta family which inspired the title for the book.
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The cover of the book features Pravin Gordhan, the former finance minister, as the ‘Zumanator’ breaking down a door to the Saxonwold Shebeen.
The cartoon was created after Gordhan was fired as the finance minister.
Shapiro added that every once in a while there is a cartoon which resonates with people and far exceeds the typical views of his cartoons.
One such cartoon, which Shapiro added has been viewed more than two million times, once again features Gordhan. “I never expect to have views like that again, I think it was saying a lot about the feeling at the time.”
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Shapiro, who has been very critical of government, does not limit his cartoons to South Africa but has also included a cartoon of current USA President Donald Trump with a golden showerhead on his head, very similar to the one which Shapiro has drawn of President Jacob Zuma for many years.
Other well-known politicians included in the cartoons include Helen Zille, Bathabile Dlamini, Thuli Madonsela and Grace Mugabe who have all featured in news stories across the country.
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