Zapiro Books

No little thorn in the flesh or irritating fly in the ointment, Zapiro just cannot be ignored. It's been another helluva year, and who better to make sense of it than Zapiro, political analyst, cartoonist and agent provocateur.

Part history and part social commentary, 50 People Who Stuffed Up South Africa is an engrossing and edifying read that delves into South African politics, war, sport, and culture on its way to answering the question, Who are the greatest villains, the direst leaders, the foulest corrupters, and the most offensive personalities to have spread their regrettable influence throughout the land? From Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 to Jacob Zuma in 2012--via Wouter Basson, P. W. Botha, Shaka, and Schabir Shaik--the book focuses on men (and three women) of infamy who jeopardized the nation by virtue of their ruinous megalomania (Thabo Mbeki, Cecil Rhodes), foul convictions (Hendrik Verwoerd, Eugène Terre'Blanche), or, in the author's opinion, general idiocy (Julius Malema, Alec Erwin). Beyond the obvious political manipulators and historical figures, however, this collection also includes statesmen and sportsmen of dubious distinction, as well as nonpareil social delinquents such as minibus taxi drivers.

A reflective summary in cartoon form, this 18th annual compilation chronicles South Africa’s political events in the year 2013. Packed with biting humor and cutting-edge satire, it showcases South Africa’s sharpest cartoonist and provides an insight into the country’s political situation. Open and honest, these cartoons ensure that no event passes by without comment or a laugh.

In Zapiro's 20th annual he skewers another momentous year including the drama over Rhodes and other statues, # Nkandla Pay Back the Money, spy cables, NPA shenanigans, Eskom and parastatal paralysis, union disunity, Charlie Hebdo, xenophobia, Juju's boiler suit brigade, Godzille's successor, cockroaches, Verwoerd's ghost and other political creatures.

WTF is renowned cartoonist Zapiro's account of the Zuma years in 400 brilliant cartoons and the stories behind them. It is much more than a collection of cartoons, it's also a definitive personal record from a man uniquely positioned to reflect the serious craziness and the crazy seriousness of this bewildering time in our history. Zapiro's career has been tightly entwined with the tale of Jacob Zuma for more than twenty years. He has sharply charted his rise and fall, and everything in between, including the corrupting presence of the Guptas and the destructive cancer of state capture. And he created the iconic showerhead which has become a nationally known symbol of Zuma. WTF recounts the many times the cartoonist was threated by senior political figures because of his caustic and brilliant work, as well as the two lawsuits totaling R22m he was served with by Zuma. Zapiro's cartoons stand as an essential, bitter-sweet testimonial which captures Jacob Zuma and the wild ride he took the nation on. It also reflects and explains the significant presence Zuma still has in our politics.

It's been one helluva year - again. We've seen Zuma resign as president, the DA go after its own people, Trump exercise his megalomania, the rise of racial tensions (as well as the petrol price) and tempers being flared.