As the South African general elections on May 29 draw closer, a campaign clip is creating controversy. Produced by the leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, it uses the image of a South African flag slowly burning to illustrate the extent to which a coalition between the ANC, in power since 30 years, and other radical parties would drag the country into chaos. But for some, it is a sacred symbol that is under attack.
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For the Democratic Alliance (DA), this video fits completely into its communication strategy which aims to arouse, at the end of the campaign, fear around of a coalition that she predicts between the ANC in powerthe EFF of Julius Malema and the MK of ex-president Jacob Zuma. Such an alliance would reduce the country to ashes, according to the center-right party, reports our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargelès.
The DA believes it is the only party that can avoid this “ apocalypse ”, in his words, and to restore the integrity of the South African flag. Or as we see at the end of the video.
A clip that got people talking. Reactions ranging from the Minister of Culture – who speaks of a gesture ” anti patriotic ” And ” odious », against whom he is considering measures – to the former well-respected mediator of the Republic, Thuli Madonsela. Even the president Cyril Ramaphosa joined the concert of criticism, evoking a “ treason “: he regretted seeing a symbol of ” unit » national, which brings together post-apartheid society.
Despite the outcry, the leader of the DA, Johan Steenhuisen, defended the campaign spot on Tuesday May 7: “ We can stop our beautiful flag from burning and we can prevent the apocalypse, but only if we vote in the millions for the DA “, he declared at a party conference.
However, the DA has, until now, never entirely ruled out the possibility of joining the ANC in a coalition government if the opportunity arose. But this without the other parties.
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