News: June 2012

Every year since 2009, during Youth Month, 200 extraordinary young South Africans (under the age of 35) are recognised by a leading national newspaper for their achievements. Selected for the "vision, passion, integrity, talent and determination that (they contribute towards) making this country an even better place"; the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans are gathered from every discipline and occupation. This year, our very own africartoonist, Jeremy Nell (who signs his work as ‘JERM’), was counted amongst them.JERM told us that after he had been nominated and interviewed, he received an invitation to the awards function in Johannesburg which he declined, because he didn’t think he stood a chance making the final 200. As it turned out, he was wrong - and he found out about the honour via twitter!

Because it's never too late to tell your dad you love him!Go ahead, share any of these great father's day cartoons with all the great dads that you know.

Julius Malema's Fight Record.Juju has featured in many boxing cartoons in which he has won some rounds, and lost others. Here's a blow by blow account, stretching back to 2010, by these great ringside commentators: AVI, BRANDAN, FRED MOUTON, DOV FEDLER, JERM, MANGENA, MARK WIGGETT, MILES, SIWELA, STIDY & YALO.

Just when the furore over 'The Spear' had all but died down, another controversy has emerged to test the line between freedom of expression and respect. The SA Human Rights Commission confirmed on Friday that it had received two complaints regarding an episode of the animated Izikhokho Show titled 'Jesus is a Shangaan' which was posted last month with an apology in advance to all Shangaan people. The cartoon appears to be calculated to offend - or at least challenge - conservative Christians, opening with Jesus' doctor revealing to him that he doesn't share God's DNA, and that he's in fact Shangaan. Depressed, Jesus tries to wash away his Shangaaness and, when this doesn't work, prepares to commit suicide.

Mdu Ntuli, the show's creator has defended his work, saying "I have made fun of a lot of South African people, but hardcore Christians seem to be the one(s) who get offended the most. Maybe I need to say these cartoons are fictional stories not a reality. Izikhokho Show has one principle: 'laugh and be laughed at'."