Faizel Patel – Cii News, Pic: Cape Times – 28 August 2012

Just when we thought the controversy was laid to rest, another painting of South African president, Jacob Zuma, with genitals exposed has surfaced. The new painting went on display at the AVA Gallery in Cape Town on Monday night.

The artist, Ayanda Mabulu’s painting Umshini Wam (Weapon of Mass Destruction) is part of an exhibition called Our Fathers.

It shows Zuma in traditional dress with his uncircumcised member exposed.

The exhibition also features works by artist Brett Murray, whose painting called the The Spear also showed Zuma in an exposed manner. The painting caused an uproar and saw South Africans marching on the Goodman Gallery in May this year where it was exhibited.

Mabulu has been controversial in his previous paintings as well.

According to Independent Newspapers, he claimed that this painting was not meant to be disrespectful.

“He is not naked; I did not paint him with an uncircumcised penis. This is a metaphor that shows he is not a boy; he is a man, an elder, a father, a leader,” Mabulu said.