Owner of the Goodman Gallery, Liza Esser, yesterday met with Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile to discuss, among other things, Brett Murray's controversial painting.

The ANC, which will march to the gallery today, said the march would proceed although its owner expressed regret on division caused by the painting.

"We believe that we can find a solution to the matter facing us. There is no way we can call the march off this evening. In that march we might highlight some things which could be of interest to South Africa. It might be a positive march, a march that can build us as a country and a people," said ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu.

He said the party was pleased that Esser has finally understood the hurt caused by the painting.

"We were just speaking to her now (yesterday). We are saying there is nothing wrong with us finding a solution to this pain and hurt. She is open to that.

"We are not going there to fight people. We are going there for all of us to say how do we as South Africans put a closure ... but also understand this hurt. We are happy that at least the lady understands this hurt."

Esser conceded that she never thought that the artwork would cause such controversy and drama in the country. "Certainly, it was never my intention to hurt anyone by displaying the artwork. I am very sad by the divisiveness that the exhibition has caused because art is meant to bring social cohesion and healing. To the extent that this exhibition has caused divisiveness, I am deeply saddened by that."

On the march today, Esser said: "I hope that it will be a peaceful march ..."

Meanwhile, the City Press newspaper yesterday removed the painting from its website.

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Wed Jun 19 13:19:45 SAST 2013 ::

May 29, 2012

truthhurt

Where are our Priorities?????
A controversial painting has now been defaced.

2 guys (a white & a black) were arrested.

The ANC’s court case is still going ahead on Thursday to force the gallery to remove the artwork.

- A 17 year-old mentally challenged girl was gang raped & the video went viral. No one marched.
- An 8-year-old girl was raped by a 15 year-old boy & her eyes gouged out. No one marched.
- Entire provinces are without school text books - it’s almost June. No one marched.
- Our imminent police chief is a gangster & has brought our police service to its knees. No one marched.
- Our country has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. No one marched.
- Our democracy is going down the toilet but no one marches.

But our country goes hysterical over a painting! We threaten lawsuits, protests & violent reprisals.

Where are our priorities???

What are we thinking??????!!!!

We have now proven beyond doubt that our collective mentality doesn’t rise above the waist.


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May 29, 2012

sakhomba

@tpaz

ra tshwana, lenna ke rata moering- involved marches. remember the security marches of 2006. damn there was always stories of people blikseming others, throwing them out of moving trains and looting shops. now that is real action right there.
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May 29, 2012

mambaaai

Im sure we can all think of more pressing issues that require attention in the country...... that urgent attention and marches....like .......................... 1 in 3 police telephone numbers get answered.... we have extremely high rape statistics in the country,.... people are dying in the country from AIDS at a rate greater than countries in a full blown war.............we have violent crime statistics that cause tourists to choose other destinations.. ......... and the focus is on what....? a painter because he is wh1te and ignore painters who paint the same subject matter because he is bl@ck..... the whole stuggle was from the point of view skin colour is irrelevant....
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May 29, 2012

Sugaar

I don't have time for nonses.I was going to join the march provided they go there naked.
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May 29, 2012

PleaseGetReal1

There is no way we can call the march off this evening. In that march we might highlight some things which could be of interest to South Africa.


Burning, plundering and the loss of business to those who are not going to open their shops?
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May 29, 2012

mambaaai

this stuff made international news a long time ago..... and now its going to be an even bigger joke....way to go JZ
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May 29, 2012

7000000

Nokukhanya the PA to the President ask the Commander in Chief!!? Hahaha Hamba Msholozi hahhaha, see you at the resturant Noku bring Delsey and Tony with you we need to support our Chief today!!!
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May 29, 2012

candilious

@truthhurt-Sad indeed ,

@mambaai-He scores 100 votes Yeah right
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May 29, 2012

DJWinner

People are now apologising left right centre, what were they thinking? You don't mess with uMsholozi.

By the way, will women still march naked as promised? I might be interested to join in.
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May 29, 2012

truthhurt

candilious
@truthhurt-Sad indeed ,

@mambaai-He scores 100 votes Yeah right
=====================================================
I know its very, very sad!
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