Stephen Francis

Not their best work but enjoyable nonetheless. For non-Saffa's (South Africans) Madam & Eve is a daily newspaper comic strip satirizing the relationship between the entrenched conservative, post-apartheid white bourgeoisie and the hired (black) help. The more agitated liberal might deem this as an attempt to ameliorate white guilt ((none of the artists are black) and black resentment) by trivializing the entrenched master/slave relationship but perhaps it is also part of the healing and understanding process? - it is easier to engage in objective discourse over something once it is no longer a source of friction.

A recommended crash course in Saffa humour and culture, from a Europeanized perspective.… (més)

For anyone who has been a fan of Madame and Eve since 1993, the annual collection is a must-buy: this year, buy two because the strip has recovered the form that gave it an international following, and you will want one to keep and one to give to your best friend.

Although the cutsie element is still here with frequent appearances by Thandi, Send in the Clowns is a less oblique view of the passing show than the last few albums have been with no attempt to sugar-coat crime, strikes, corruption and unrest.

The death of Mandela, Nkandla, the election and the EFF frolics, the Oscar Trial, the fearless Thuli Madonsela – all the expected highlights of 2013/14 are here, with a few added bonuses for Johannesburgers in the form of the earthquake, black outs and, of course, the on-going e-toll saga.

Francis and Rico have always poked only the gentlest of fun at South Africa and her foibles but with Send in the Clowns the pokes are not so gentle any more and the fun is a little barbed. But still very funny.… (més)

Gosh – twenty years! It seems like only yesterday I read my first annual, and was so impressed I bought copies for the whole family. We all have a favourite Madam & Eve memory and the best way to relive them is to buy this year’s collection which contains a retrospective selection [who can forget the priest demanding from the confessional ‘Is she free Thursdays?’] as well as a healthy crop of new strips.

Much has changed in the last 20 years but Edith’s G & Ts are still served at 5, Eve is still to be found asleep on the ironing board and Stephen Francis and Rico still make us laugh at ourselves every day.… (més)