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Jonathan “Zapiro” Shapiro was born in in Cape Town in 1958. He studied architecture and graphic design before being conscripted to the army. Refusing to bear arms, Zapiro joined several political movements, most notably the anti-Apartheid United Democratic Front. This also marked the beginning of his political cartooning career; he designed the logo for the End Conscription Campaign, and became the editorial cartoonist of South in 1987. Following service, Zapiro received a Fulbright to study media arts at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Zapiro returned to South Africa in 1991 and produced several educational comics through Story Circle. He also served as editorial cartoonist for several publications, including Sowetan (1994 – 2005), and Cape Argus (1996 -1997), among others. He currently works for the Mail & Guardian, the Sunday Times and the Times. He has held solo cartoon exhibitions in New York, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dhaka, Sweden and all across South Africa.
Zapiro is currently being sued for defamation by President Jacob Zuma for cartoons publishing in 2006 and 2008.
- “Zapiro Pens Mail and Guardian Cover for the Paper’s exclusive Report on Nkandla,” BooksLive, 29 Nov 2013. Last accessed 2 Dec 2013.
- “Zapiro on Malema’s court case and his new book,” eNCAnews, 18 Nov 2013. Last accessed 2 Dec 2013.
- “No Apology for Ganesha cartoon: Zapiro, Sunday Times,” Times LIVE, 29 Oct 2013. Last accessed 2 Dec 2013.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. My Big Fat Gupta Wedding. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2013.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. VuvuzelaNation. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2013.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. But Will it Stand Up in Court?. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2013.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. The Last Sushi. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2011.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Do You Know Who I Am? Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2011.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Don’t Mess with the President’s Head. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2009.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. The Pirates of Polokwane. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2008.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Take Two Veg and Call me in the Morning. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2007.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Da Zuma Code. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2006.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Is there a Spin Doctor in the House? Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2005.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Long Walk to Free Time. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2004.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Doctor Do-Little and the African Potato. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2003.
- Shapiro, Jonathan. Bushwhacked. Johannesburg, SA: Jacana Media, 2002.