Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has sparked controversy with its latest election advert, which predicts the ANC’s loss of majority vote after 30 years and highlights a “disastrous” coalition between the ANC, EFF, and MK party.
However, the depiction of the burning South African flag in the ad has drawn criticism on social media.
🚨 This election is about survival! Watch the DA’s new TV advert. Your vote can stop a corrupt coalition between the ANC, the violent EFF and the Zuma faction.
A strong DA can anchor a new caring government to create more jobs and get things done. Unite to #RescueSA. 🇿🇦#DAtvAd pic.twitter.com/2PiEcp8W2t
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 5, 2024
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela expressed understanding of the message’s intent but criticised the use of the flag, suggesting alternative symbols could have been used.
“I fully understand the intention but there could have been other metaphoric symbols to communicate the message. I just can’t help a nagging feeling that the designer of the campaign may be harbouring unconscious rage against our flag and what it symbolises,” Madonsela write on X.
I fully understand the intention but there could have been other metaphoric symbols to communicate the message.
I just can’t help a nagging feeling that the designer of the campaign may be harbouring unconscious rage against our flag and what it symbolises🇿🇦— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) May 5, 2024
Despite backlash, DA leader John Steenhuisen defended the ad, clarifying that the visuals represent a warning of the future under the speculated coalition rather than the DA’s desired outcome.
“What you will see in this election advert is a symbolic representation of the future that awaits South Africa if people do not vote for the DA.
“It is a warning of what this country’s future will look like under a Doomsday Coalition between the ANC, the EFF, and perhaps also MK and mercenary small parties like the Patriotic Alliance,” The Citizen quoted Steenhuisen as saying while delivering his speech at the launch of the election advert in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
