The Principal Award will be presented to Zapiro alias Jonathan Shapiro (1958, South Africa), who is one of the best- known cartoonists of South Africa. His work has been widely published in both the national and international media.

Born in Cape Town, he studied architecture before switching to graphic design and completing his studies with a Fulbright Scholarship at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

 He then returned to South Africa and worked with Story Circle producing educational comics on HIV/Aids, democracy, and the prevention of child abuse. During the 1980s he began working with anti-apartheid groups and also published cartoons.

Zapiro's graphics prove his ability to expose the truth and his refusal to excuse anyone from public comment regardless of status, race or power. Eschewing computer graphics, he works with pens and Indian ink; his cartoons are drawn free hand. Zapiro has published nine books of cartoons including The Madiba Years (1996), The ANC Went In 4x4 (2001), and Long Walk to Free Time (2004).

He has had several one-man cartoon exhibitions, has judged competitions and mentored young cartoonists. His work can be found regularly on the websites of the Daily Mail, the Guardian and the Sowetan. In 2001 he became the first cartoonist to win a category prize (sports) at the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.

In 2003 he was the only African cartoonist to be invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos.As part of its new focus on 'Humour and Satire', the Fund has granted this award to Zapiro for his ability to make people laugh - even when it is at their own expense.

http://www.cartoonist.co.za/zapiro.htm

1/12/2005