Here in South Africa, we have a strange political climate. Twenty-three years after apartheid, we are still slowly progressing from an apartheid state to a free nation.
South Africa is a beautiful, culturally rich country, with 11 official languages. The Rainbow Nation as we are called, has a short (four hundred years) rollercoaster of a history.
Of course, with this sort of background, we have a very active art and literature scene. I snapped these shots of Brett Murray's prints, which were displayed in a coffee shop near where I work.
Referred to by critic Brenda Atkinson as "the dark prince of South African pop (art)", Murray is one of the country's most popular artists, often using easily recognisable media images with the addition of a subversive and bitterly funny twist.
Murray's work addresses the wars of the cultures, the clash between Afrocentrism and Eurocentrism, the old and the new South Africas. "With my work I hope to critically entertain. Through satirical and tragic reflections on South Africa, I hope to shift people's perspectives and change people's minds, indulgent, arrogant and pretentious as this might sound," he says
Brett is most well known for painting our scandalous president, Jacob Zuma, with his genitals exposed. The ANC wanted to sue Brett for defamation, but I don't remember anything ever coming of that.
This is a portrait of our wonderful (rolls eyes dramatically) president. Accused of rape, and known to not have furthered his education past elementary school. He has also been involved in many cases of corruption but has not been found guilty as of yet. cough cough
Amandla is a Zulu and Xhosa word meaning "power". The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against apartheid, used by the African National Congress and its allies. The leader of a group would call out "Amandla!" and the crowd would respond with "Awethu" or "Ngawethu!" (to us), completing the South African version of the rallying cry "power to the people!" The word is still associated with struggles against oppression.
How fucking sad that so many people fought for freedom, fought with their lives for our country and now these corrupt politicians' have allowed their greed to ruin our precious country. South Africa has a high poverty percentage, and work is scarce, even for those with an education. Goddammit, I am angry!
We have a campaign here called "Zuma Must Fall". It's basically a campaign calling for the impeachment of our idiot president. Last year, this time, there was a Zuma Must Fall march. It was a heart swelling day to see all of my fellow South Africans united against corruption, regardless of race, creed or age. AMANDLA!!
I hope and pray for my future children's sake that our beautiful country will become free of corruption. We live in a unique and special place, and I would hate to leave.
My hubs @morkrock's band's song "African Son" describes it best, I think. Give it a listen below.
Itβs my home itβs where Iβll stay and where I belong. I didnβt choose to be here, I was born. I might seem out of place here but everything I hold dear is under the African sun
Great post @princessmewmew great song too #forGeorge
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Much love from the states and best of wishes to the South Africans rallying against corruption and oppression!
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Original content receive an 1.5% upvote from a bot if you comment @originalworks or !originalworks in your post or some else's post !
Go ahead , share the power and love :)
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The @OriginalWorks bot has determined this post by @princessmewmew to be original material and upvoted(1.5%) it!
To call @OriginalWorks, simply reply to any post with @originalworks or !originalworks in your message!
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dankie, @jacoknoetze! very kind of you
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:) Plesier !
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You're kicking ass!
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I try, I try.
thanks :)
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This is what we are all praying for. I am a foreigner, my children are not but South Africa is where I live and has become my home. So we do pray for country free of corruption.
Thank princess for sharing this with us.
@seyiodus.
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Great post and a lot I wasnβt aware of
Praying for the right changes to improve things there
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