Stories By Siphesihle Dlamini
Dr Shakes, a well-known local comedian, sparked a heated debate on social media over the Easter weekend with a post that some are calling controversial, and others are defending as harmless humour.
The post in question featured Dr Shakes posing naked with only a napkin-like fabric covering his private parts, in a reenactment of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.
Accompanying the pictures was a caption that read, “If Jesus had Instagram back then, I’m sure we would be hanging such pictures on our walls.” The post quickly went viral, with reactions ranging from outrage to amusement.
ALSO READ: Dr. Shakes brings laughter amidst the controversy with a hilarious skit
Some social media users condemned the joke as blasphemous, with one comment stating, “Jokes are necessary in life, but this is going too far.
You are requesting curses from God. This ain’t funny, bro, and the fact that some people are also laughing about this. I pray that you are forgiven.”
However, not everyone saw the post in a negative light. Clement Dlamini weighed in, pointing out a double standard in the reaction to Dr.
ALSO READ: Tyla releases debut album after Grammy win
Shakes’ post. He argued, “If Dr Shakes was wrong, it means even the white people who acted in the film of Jesus and included a picture of a white man in the Bible (the same Bible you read every day) were wrong. It was mockery, but you embraced it.
Dr Shakes only did a demonstration, which is the same as what was done by whites. The only difference is that Dr Shakes is a comedian, so a lot of people with conservative opinions think it was blasphemy.”
The debate continues to rage on social media, with some defending Dr Shakes’ right to artistic expression and others calling for accountability.
As the controversy unfolds, one thing is clear: humour, especially when it touches on sensitive topics, can be a powerful force for both unity and division in society.
