I have founded an NGO which works with the poorest in the squatter camps of Soweto. I do believe that until you have travelled those dusty roads and gone into shacks and felt the desperation, witnessed hopelessness and imagined yourself living as these people live, you cannot understand the anger of the artist. He is expressing himself the same way as I (via email, twitter,facebook) expressed myself to Bell Pottinger: its rape of our Madiba's legacy. Honestly, I wonder how junk status and going downwards from there really affect those critics of the painting. My take on it: it's shocking and crude, but it's real. If it does more for the cause than marching to the Union buildings - the only thing we really do - then it will achieve its aim. Be aware too much condemnation will be a gift to the Zuma govt - distraction from the crisis at hand - if this happens the artist will be vilified and the message lost, and Zuma's ANC will have Bell Pottingered us again.