By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is facing a backlash after they unveiled a controversial advert ahead of the general elections to be held on the 29th of May.
In the election ad, the DA claims the African National Congress (ANC) will lose the majority vote for the first time in 30 years, but will do “anything” to stay in power.
It further tells South Africans about the “disastrous” coalition between the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK party), as the visuals show the burning of the South African flag.
Addressing the media on Sunday evening, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the party wanted to convey an urgent warning on the perils faced by the country’s constitutional democracy.
“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.
“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,” said Steenhuisen.
In the advert, a voiceover can be heard warning of South Africa’s demise under an ANC and EFF coalition.
It is now the patriotic duty of every freedom loving South African who wants to Rescue SA from an ANC-EFF Doomsday, to make sure they come out and vote for the DA on the 29th of May.
Because, in this election, the stakes are just too high to stay at home.
Rescue SA, Vote DA. pic.twitter.com/bLHodoMdx1
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 6, 2024
Steenhuisen believes the ANC, EFF and the Zuma faction could decide to work together after the 2024 elections, making things worse for South Africa.
“The Doomsday Coalition will expropriate property without compensation and abolish private property rights. The Doomsday Coalition will nationalise and destroy foreign investment, businesses, banks and mines.
“The Doomsday Coalition will plunge this country into ethnic and racial conflict the likes of which it has never witnessed before. The cold, hard truth is that the Doomsday Coalition between the ANC and EFF has already taken over Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni with the help of its little proxies.
“Next year, it will be knocking on the doors of the Union Buildings.
“This is a fact that should send shivers down the spines of every patriot and freedom-loving person in this country,” said Steenhuisen.
The advert did not land well with South Africans, who felt like the DA was disrespecting the flag.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was amongst the first people to comment, saying the burning of the flag was ill-advised.
“It seems to show disrespect and disloyalty to the flag, which to many of us is more than a flag but a symbol of triumph against apartheid, In some countries, it’s even a crime to burn the flag,” said Madonsela.
Beneath the post, users are asking why the DA is showing the burning of the flag, calling the idea into question.
“You never disrespect the flag because of what it stands for and those who died fighting for it, “one user wrote.
“This just doesn’t sit right with me. So DA’s top leadership actually thought hey let’s burn the SA flag for our tv ad?” wrote another.
South Africans head to the polls on 29th May to vote in what many say is the most hotly contested national elections since 1994.