In Africa today, approximately 42% of the population lives on less than $1.90 per day.  There are several factors that contribute to this very unfortunate number.  Besides poverty, there are many other problems that the continent has faced over the past several decades.  To address this situation, a popular cartoonist, Paresh Nath, portrays a number of these social issues pertaining to Africa in his visual text, “Governing the Continent unitedly: A Reality”.  The image uses a minimalist design to depict the current situation in Africa to spread awareness by incorporating symmetry, symbolism, and contrast.

In his visual display, Nath uses symmetry and shape to create a consistency throughout his illustration in order to exemplify the importance of each issue.  The focal point of his piece is the word “Africa”, which is written surrounded by the shape of Africa itself.  By using large, bold lettering, Nath portrays the severity of the issues to the viewer by utilizing size.  Likewise, he makes the continent of Africa bigger than the any other component of his piece to signify the central idea and to attract attention.  Aside from the focal point, there are several other important parts to this illustration.  Nath incorporates nine different figures into his image to depict each significant issue that the African population faces.  These include “famine”, “drought”, “civil abuses”, “hunger”, “poverty”, “disease”, “dictatorship”, “civil war”, and “warlord”.  Each term is placed on the body of figures surrounding Africa.  Although some issues may be more severe than others, Nath makes it clear that each issue is equally important by utilizing symmetry throughout.  

In addition to the element of symmetry, Nath uses symbolism is his work to further add meaning and to emphasize the difficult conditions in Africa.  Nath chooses to draw each figure, similar to that of the grim reaper, who symbolizes death and negativity.  In doing so, he immediately creates a very cynical tone: giving the viewer the idea that each term written on their bodies will then have a negative connotation.  Another symbol that Nath incorporates is the table in the center, which symbolizes the continent of Africa. Surrounding the table sits each of the figures, presumably arguing over which of these issues is most important.  By employing these different symbols throughout his piece, Nath aims to evoke sorrowful feelings to appeal to the viewers and gain the rightful attention that these social issues deserve. 

 Along with symbolism, Nath’s use of contrast is another very important element that helps convey his main point and call attention to the circumstances in Africa.  First, Nath does not incorporate any color throughout his drawing.  Generally, the use of color is to create vibrancy and make certain objects stand out.  In this case, Nath solely uses black and white, which adds to the sorrow, serious tone.  By making the center of his work white and the rest grey or black, the audience can identify the focal point much quicker.  The name “Africa” is placed in large, black lettering to differentiate it from the blank, white background to make it stand out.  Nath then draws each of the figures black, normally symbolizing negativity, which is fitting since each term represents another social issue.  By utilizing contrast in his visual display, Nath emphasizes the issue and engages the audience. 

Ultimately, Paresh Nath creates the political cartoon, “Governing the Continent unitedly: A Reality” to attract attention and spread awareness regarding the current conditions of Africa by utilizing symbolism, symmetry, and contrast.  By using symbols, Nath creates a deeper meaning for the viewer to recognize and adds to the severity of the issue.  Additionally, symmetry and shape are used to equalize the drawing and show that each of these issues that Africa faces are all in need of attention.  Finally, the use of contrast is significant in this piece because it makes the main idea stand out to attract the audience. 
