Screenshot of the DA's latest election ad.
The DA wants to preserve the national flag, not destroy it, and writes that that is why the party chose to get its message across in such a controversial way. Helen Gill.
The most insightful political analyst of the 20th century, Eric Arthur Blair, also known as George Orwell, said, “Speaking the truth in an age of deceit is a revolutionary act.''
This adage has stuck with me throughout my decades in politics.
Every time a prosecutor had the courage to tell the harsh and inconvenient truth, critics cried out in anger. Recall our predictions about the impact of executive deployment, BEE, state capture, and labor laws. And of course, “Stop Zuma.”
We were vilified each time. It turns out we were right too.
New insights?
When analysts finally “get it,” they repeat what we said 10 years ago as if it were a new insight.
And when they have to admit that our stark warnings that under an ANC/EFF/MK/PA coalition South Africa's democratic institutions and our economy will be reduced to ashes are true. It will be.
Read | Tony Leung: The specter of an ANC-EFF coalition – unlikely, high anxiety
The DA's role is to do everything in its power to prevent this from happening. Only voters have the power to do this. He has three weeks left to return home from this point.
So, if you had to convey this hard truth with maximum impact in a 30-second television broadcast, what would you do?
That was the problem the DA's office faced when we conceived the burning flag ad.
Why the Prosecutor's Office raised the flag
We chose this flag 30 years ago as the clearest symbol of the dreams we shared at the dawn of democracy under President Nelson Mandela. The flames show how his eyesight has been destroyed by his 30 years of ANC rule. And we warn that under an ANC/EFF/MK/PA coalition it will disappear completely.
The 30 seconds ends with the flag restored to its former glory, with a call to action for all adults in South Africa. “Save SA, vote for DA!”
This powerful symbolism elicited the expected response.
So should we avoid metaphors and symbols in our communications that can cause offense or controversy? No! We want to go to war against those who destroy the dreams that once united our country. We want to protect our flag.
Controversy helps advance our message.
fabricated outrage
We must make a tough choice for voters: Are you a burner or a builder? That is the issue in this election. Only DA has the guts, experience, and track record to defeat Burner.
I'll tell you in 30 seconds what I've spent 475 words trying to figure out. And for free, our messages are turbocharged with manufactured anger fuel.
After a battle of words, the award for most insightful comment on “Burns” so far goes to @riaanafrica on X (formerly Twitter).
If you look very closely, you will see that it is a piece of paper and not a city building or a train.
– Helen Zille is Chair of the DA Federal Council.
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