Arts and Culture Minister Gigi Kodwa has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of using election campaign ads to sow discord in the country.
The DA's election video depicts the South African flag slowly burning out.
The narrator said this election was about surviving the damage the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had done to the country.
The video ends with a restored photo of the South African flag with the party's election theme, “Unite to Save South Africa''.
Kodwa condemned the ad and said burning the national flag goes against the nation it represents.
Kodwa spokesperson Lisa Mpondwana said: “This action by the Democratic Alliance recognizes South Africa's achievements as a free, non-racial democracy and the blood it has expended to achieve this freedom. “It is a violation of their sweat and sacrifice.”
The Minister said the South African flag would not be used as a tool to cause division and hysteria in our country. ”
The South African flag represents the unity of our nation and people. I condemn in the strongest terms the government's political advertising. @Our_DA It shows the South African flag burning.@SportArtCultur @CyrilRamaphosa #IAmTheFlag pic.twitter.com/30oWaIrO4n
— Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture (@zizikodwa) May 6, 2024
Meanwhile, prosecutors defended the ad, saying the burning flag symbolizes the current state of the country.
Party spokesperson Solly Malatsi said:The purpose of advertising is The idea of a coalition between the ANC, EFF and MK is to demonstrate the situation the country is in and the risk it will continue.
South Africa is going through very difficult times and these parties collectively represent some worrying trends that indicate South Africa is in decline. When you look at a flag, the fact that it is burning represents that slippage, and to show that there is still hope, that flag does not burn out completely and is then restored. ”
🚨 This election is about survival! Check out the DA's new TV ad. With your vote you can stop the corrupt coalition between the ANC, the violent EFF and the Zuma faction.
A strong DA can create more jobs and entrench a new, caring government to get things done.unite #RescueSA. 🇿🇦#DAtvAd pic.twitter.com/2PiEcp8W2t
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 5, 2024