THE DA has received backlash on social media for its election advertising.
The ad, which was first aired on Sunday, 5 April, shows the Mzansi flag burning to ashes.
The narrator in the video says: "In this election, the ANC will lose its majority for the first time in 30 years. But they will do everything they can to stay in power.
"Imagine a coalition between the ANC, the violent EFF and the Zuma faction. Under this coalition, life will only get worse. This election is about survival. Unite to save South Africa. Vote DA."
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela was among those who expressed their disappointment on X. She said while she understood the intention, the DA could have got its message across in other ways.
“Burning our flag is ill-advised. It seems to show disrespect and disloyalty to the flag, which for many of us is more than a flag, but a symbol of triumph over apartheid. In some countries it's a crime to burn the flag,” Madonsela said.
Political analyst Tessa Dooms said the advert promoted swart gevaar.
“What on earth is this swart gevaar? The violent EFF? Survival? How could the DA pack so much racism into 30 seconds?”
Swart gevaar (Afrikaans for "black danger") was a term used during apartheid in South Africa to describe a perceived security threat that the black African majority posed to the white South African government.
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The DA responded to the criticism by saying the ad represents the choice voters have on 29 May.
"ALL OR NOTHING!" That is the choice voters have in this election. This advert highlights the critical choice facing our country in this election. Under this coalition of corruption, life will only get worse. And the fabric of our nation, as symbolised by the burning of the South African flag in this latest ad, will be destroyed," the statement read, in part.
"This election is no longer just about politics, it’s about survival. If you want a new government that works, then you must vote for it. On 29 May, unite to rescue South Africa from the ANC-EFF's doomsday."
The DA said while the advert showed the burning of the Mzansi flag, the subsequent rebuilding of the flag showed that it was possible to save the country and turn the situation around, if we make the right choice.
The ANC Youth League condemned the burning of the flag.
Its spokeswoman Zama Khanyase said the act was a stark reminder of the DA’s racist and divisive agenda.
"This cowardly and disrespectful act not only insults our national symbol but also undermines the unity and pride of our nation. It's a blatant attempt to fuel racial tensions and sow discord among our people. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be met with swift and decisive legal action," she said.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has condemned, in the strongest terms, the DA's political advertisement.He said on a night in which they celebrated 30 years of sporting excellence at the South African Sport Awards, with athletes who have raised the flag high, the DA decided to offend and insult the nation by showing a political ad depicting the burning of the national flag.
“The South African flag represents our nationhood. It represents the coming together of our people. The South African flag symbolises unity in our diversity and represents the hopes and aspirations of our nation. As custodian of all national symbols, which include the South African flag, I strongly condemn the DA's advertisement which depicts the burning of the South African flag,” Kodwa said.
