Travel Forum / Destinations / Africa / August 2004

Pieter Dirk Uys is indeed an interesting person. He has been around
for many years, and was an outspoken opponent of the apartheid
government. He is a satirist and actor and impersonator. He is most
famous for his female character, Evita Bezuidenhout, the former
ambasador from the independant homeland (fictitious) of Bapetikosweti.

Under the apartheid government he was regularly hassled, banned,
threatened etc. but it became a bit embarrasing for the government to
be seen to harrassing Evita, who became larger-than-life and much
loved by millions of South Africans. Every time Pieter Dirk was banned
or harrassed, Evita would pop up and make comments, drawing the flak
for Pieter Dirk, and endearing herself even more to the people of the
country. Even hardened supporters of the government warmed to his
female alter-ego, some of them even commenting that she had good legs

Now that we have a democratically elected government Pieter Dirk has
toned down his political satire, and is concentrating his efforts on
fighting AIDS and poverty, as well as child abuse, social issues,
voter education etc.

There is an interesting website at:
www.evita.co.za

Since 1994 there has been practically no censorship or sanction on
activists, political commentators and satirists, actors, journalists,
authors etc. The new South African Constitution is very progressive,
and guarantees freedom of speech, expresion, and association. There is
an active constitutional court that continually monitors and tests
these constitutional principles, and ensures that South Africa
continues to experience levels of political stability only dreamed of
in many other African (and South American, and even some European)
countries.

There is a vibrant and flourishing community of political satirists
and cartoonists who work without any interference from the state.

Have a look here:
http://www.megweb.uct.ac.za/www/307F/Zapiro/      Zapiro is one of
SA's most famous political cartoonists.

http://www.madamandeve.co.za  This is a light hearted, yet
surprisingly astute, cartoon strip dealing with SA suburban life.

http://www.comedyclub.co.za    The URL speaks for itself.

Regards,

Marc