Last week ZA NEWS was launched on Mail and Guardians website. The controversial satirical show ZA News has found a new home on the internet after the SABC refused to air it on television. From it’s launch there will be a daily show and a weekend round-up edition. ZA News falls between being a constant reflection and complaint of our countries politicians, and an amusing satire.

“If religion is the opium of the masses then TV must be the dagga – Desmond Tutu”

Cartoonist Zaphiro is the spearhead of this project and inspired beautifully and scarily accurate puppets of South Africa’s political and public figures. In a country that takes itself so seriously I for one am happy to see a show that allows and encourages us to sit back and laugh at our selves.

The idea of “internet-only” TV is unique to South Africa and shows that if you can’t come right with the powers that be…you can always find an outlet on the world wide web and essentially reach a world wide audience.

Although it is entertaining, I feel that the creators can get a bit braver with the script, and perhaps test the boundaries of where this satire can go.

http://www.mg.co.za/zanews