President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken jabs at the main opposition party following an image of the national flag burning in one of its election advertisements.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), which has defended the picture, said it was intended to draw attention to its claim that the nation is in serious jeopardy.
Although it is not against the law to burn the flag, the president said that the DA’s portrayal was “abuse” and that it threatened national unity. With the general election scheduled on May 29, the campaign trail has grown more and more contentious.
A voice-over in the advertisement warns that “life will only get worse” under the African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since 1994, as the flag is seen catching fire.
The speaker then asks the audience to back the DA as the burning of the flag is reversed. It concludes with the words, “This election is about survival,” as the flag is refilled and takes on its former appearance.
A few South Africans were offended by the DA’s advertisement, claiming it desecrates the flag to draw attention to the problems that the people of the country deal with.
While the president is dedicated to free speech, he made a statement on Tuesday stating that it must “be exercised with respect for all people and that it does not incite social upheaval or violence.”
While acknowledging the existence of issues faced in the country, Mr. Ramaphosa has underlined throughout his campaign the progress South Africa has made over the past three decades.
The African National Congress (ANC) spearheaded the fight against apartheid, a legalised form of racial inequality, and white minority rule.
Mr. Ramaphosa declared that, “South Africans are more educated, empowered, and healthier than they were under apartheid,” and he is pleading with people not to jeopardise this advancement.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen described the advertisement as a “symbolic representation of the future that awaits South Africa if people do not vote for the DA”.
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