DA sparks controversy over burning flag ad: Will the government take action?
The DA has been criticised for its ad for the upcoming elections which depicts a South African flag burning.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, says he is considering further steps to take against the Democratic Alliance (DA) advert for the upcoming elections, which shows the burning of the South African flag.
The ad has garnered over one million views on YouTube, and the party has faced backlash and criticism from South Africans and other political parties.
DA TO FACE CONSEQUENCES FOR BURNING FLAG AD?
Kodwa said he has already instructed the Acting Director-General, advisors, and the legal unit of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture to urgently advise him on the recourse government can take when national symbols are denigrated and desecrated.
After the ad aired for the first time, Kodwa condemned the burning of the national flag in the political advert in the strongest terms.
Kodwa said the desecration of national symbols should not be part of election campaigning and should not be tolerated.
“We are taking steps to ensure that there are consequences for such actions. We must protect our national symbols, which are a product of our hard-earned democracy,” he said.
🚨 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.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 5, 2024
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
President Cyril Ramaphosa also condemned the ad.
Ramaphosa said he believes this depiction is desperate, inciteful and undermines the principles of democracy and unity in the midst of the national celebration of 30 Years of Freedom.
“All South Africans should deplore this abuse of our national flag for party political purposes. Our flag is a symbol of identity, integrity and unity that we fly with a pride and consciousness that transcends party political interests.
“Our flag holds profound significance for the nation as it represents the hard-won freedoms and peace achieved through historical struggles against injustice,” Ramaphosa said.
HELEN ZILLE EXPLAINS REASONS BEHIND THE CONTROVERSIAL AD
In the party’s defence DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille said they picked the flag as the most evident symbol of the dream South Africans shared 30 years ago, at the dawn of democracy under President Nelson Mandela.
Zille said the flames show how his vision has been ravaged by 30 years of ANC rule.
“We warn that under an ANC/EFF/MK/PA coalition, it will be obliterated entirely. The 30 seconds ends with our flag restored to its erstwhile glory with a call to action for every adult South African: “Rescue SA, vote DA!” Zille explained.