Cape Argus

DA defiant over ‘divisive’ SA flag-burning TV ad

THE DA has received criticism over its latest election advertisem­ent which depicts the burning of the South African national flag.

The party said the election was about survival, and the advert, aired on the local public TV channels, was intended to stop the corruption of the ANC, EFF and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party whose relationsh­ip will spell disaster for the rule of law should they join forces after the elections.

The advert was launched by DA leader John Steenhuise­n on Sunday night, with South Africans slamming the burning of the flag depicted. However, Steenhuise­n has remained defiant, saying the burning of the flag is “symbolic” of the Dooms Day coalition of the ANC and the EFF.

“What you will see in this advertisem­ent is a symbolic representa­tion of the future that awaits South Africa if people do not vote for the DA,” he said.

In the advert, a South African flag is burnt to ashes with a background voice narrating how the DA would save the country from the fire.

The DA claims the ANC will lose its majority and will thus want to work with these two parties to further subject the country to yet another five years of corruption and destructio­n.

The DA said it was the only solution to the impending crisis and it had the capacity to anchor a new caring government to create more jobs and get things done.

“For the first time in 30 years, the ANC will lose its majority. But it will do anything to stay in power. Imagine a coalition between the corrupt ANC, the violent EFF, and the Zuma faction. Under this coalition of corruption life will get worse.

“This election is about survival. Unite to rescue South Africa. Vote DA,” the narrator in the advert says.

Speaking during the launch event for the advert, Steenhuise­n said South Africans had a big choice to make in the elections.

“After the elections on May 29, South Africans will either be governed by the Dooms Day coalition between the ANC and the EFF and possibly MK as well as many smaller parties outside of the MultiParty Charter, or South Africa will be governed by the new MultiParty Charter government with the DA fulfilling its role as a strong anchor party based on its size and our track record of good governance,” said Steenhuise­n.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, condemned the ad, saying it offended and insulted the nation.

“The South African flag represents our nationhood... As custodian of all national symbols, which include the South African flag, I strongly condemn the Democratic Alliance advertisem­ent which depicts the burning of the South African flag,” he said.