Zapiro’s piss-take puppetry… now with extra Za-Za-Zuma!

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They say that the truest sign of a healthy democracy is not just tolerance of free speech but when smart-ass satirists can take the pee out of their country and its politicians and not land up in solitary sans their toenails.

So I proudly announce that, as of today, South Africa came of age. The age of a true democracy. OK. So we’ve been able to say pretty much what we’ve wanted to since apartheid was finally flushed down the loo but our finest, sharpest, bravest satirical cartoonist has still been getting into the poo.

But the totally nutty and nasty apartheid regime never stopped Jonathan Shapiro (aka Zapiro) so why would the likes of El Presidente Zuma and complete chops such as ANC Youth League toolhead Julius Malema find it within our new constitution to even hush him for a moment, let alone gag the truly brilliant gagster.

Intro over, Hatpeople, it is time to introduce ZA News, a concept of divine brilliance similar to but better than British telly’s old Spitting Images, hatched by the stellar combination of Zapiro and the Mail & Guardian, a South African weekly which has caused many a politician’s jaw to drop into his or her cornflakes of a Friday morning.

With a humungously loud and SA-positive paaaarp of my vuvuzela, let me now take you straight into the first broadcast of ZA News…

Brilliance. Pure genius. I’m sure you’ll agree. I don’t have much to add except to express my laugh-out-loudness at young Julius nibbling on a lollipop inbetween complaining to Prez Zuma about there being no First Class on the aeroplane.

My thighs are smarting at the mirthful smiting of them. I love you, Zapiro. And i thank you for keeping on drawing for a new and proper democracy even under the shadow of death.