Image copyright Ayanda Mabulu 
A South African artist has defended his debatable work which depicts anti-apartheid chief Nelson Mandela doing a Nazi salute.
Ayanda Mabulu’s piece drew criticism after it was once in short displayed at a Johannesburg artwork-truthful.
A former president, Mr Mandela is a much-cherished determine in South Africa, credited with finishing white-minority rule.
Mabulu said that he was speaking at the behalf of bad black South Africans.
“Mandela failed to ship the dream and that makes him an an identical of Hitler,” he informed the BBC.
Image copyright Getty Photographs Symbol caption The Former South African president died in 2013
The Nelson Mandela Foundation, which used to be set up to continue the legacy of Mr Mandela following his tenure as South Africa’s first black president, referred to as the work deeply offensive and said it examined the bounds of the freedom of expression.
However Mabulu used to be defiant: “I do not have anything else to apologise for.”
Is Nelson Mandela a sacred cow?
Through Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Johannesburg
South Africans are divided over the newest work by means of controversial artist Ayanda Mabulu, which has prompted the Nelson Mandela Foundation to raise questions about the freedom of expression.
Mabulu stated Mr Mandela failed the terrible, but has his depiction of Mr Mandela as a Nazi long gone too a long way?
it’s not the first time the artist has taken intention at politicians. In The Past his supporters defended his inflammatory piece depicting former President Jacob Zuma in a sexual act, saying artists will need to have the gap to specific their views – no matter how surprising.
But even in dying, Mr Mandela is held in top regard around the world. Yet in up to date years, as hundreds of thousands of negative younger South Africans combat to grasp their doable, many had been important of his legacy.
That being said, Mr Mandela was once additionally known for not shying away from complaint. For folks who knew that truth, the art work has not just felt like an attack – it has felt malicious.
despite his shortcomings, Mr Mandela was once a peacemaker and Nazi leader Adolf Hilter was, well, a killer – and within the interests of freedom of expression, historical past shouldn’t be misinterpreted.
Mabulu used to be similarly unfazed by way of the likelihood of the lawsuit, announcing: “I’m as terrible as my folks; i have nothing to lose. i do know they’re going to win a lawsuit against me but they are going to never silence me.”
Many on social media supported the foundation’s stance at the topic.
