President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the Democratic Alliance's (DA) election advertisement, which depicts the burning of the national flag, labelling it as treasonous.
The DA released the contentious advertisement on Sunday, portraying a burning South African flag to symbolise the nation's deteriorating state and warning of further decline unless the party is supported in the upcoming elections. The advertisement, however, was met with mixed reactions from the public.
Ramaphosa criticised the advertisement sharply. "The burning of the national flag in a political advertisement is treasonous. Our country's flag is a sacred symbol in our national life," he stated. "It is despicable for a political party to destroy a symbol of our unity and existence as a nation."
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The President addressed the media on Tuesday from the sidelines of the opening of the expanded Home Affairs office in Mokopane, Limpopo.
He reiterated the severity of the act, emphasising the flag's unifying role. "It is a deeply despicable political act, particularly egregious during an election campaign. It signals a willingness to destroy the very fabric of South Africa," he added.
Ramaphosa further noted that the flag symbolises the sacrifices made for the country's unity and identity. "It's about us. They are destroying the unity and identity that we have," he commented, declaring the act unacceptable.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa also expressed dismay at the advertisement, highlighting the flag's symbolic importance.
"This action by the Democratic Alliance offends the gains South Africa has made as a free and non-racial democracy, and the sacrifices made to achieve this freedom," Kodwa stated.
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has joined the chorus of disapproval, describing the advertisement as cowardly and disrespectful. "This act not only insults our national symbol but also undermines our unity and national pride," the ANCYL said.
The controversy has spilled over to social media, with citizens expressing their dismay at the DA's actions, accusing the party of disrespect and misrepresentation.
Despite the backlash, the DA defended its advertisement, stating its intention was to alert citizens to the ongoing destruction of the country.
Ramaphosa said it was treasonous because anybody, particularly a political party that commits such acts for political expediency should be ashamed of themselves.
“It is the most despicable political act that anyone can embark upon, especially when they are campaigning for votes because you are voting for a political party that wants to destroy South Africa, the symbol that unites all of us, he said.
Ramaphosa continued to say people died and rallied for the flag and “It’s about us, so they are destroying the unity and identity that we have.”
He said it was unacceptable for a party to burn the flag.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa also slammed the DA’s advert citing the flag as a symbol of unity.
Kodwa said it was offensive, especially to what the country has achieved so far.
“This action by the Democratic Alliance offends the gains South Africa has made as a free and non-racial democracy and the blood, tears, and sacrifices it took for the country to gain this freedom.
“It offends all South Africans who proudly raise our country's flag sky high and appreciate its representation as the flag of a free, democratic, and non-racial nation,” he said in a statement.
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has also condemned the advert, saying this was cowardly and a disrespectful act not only insults the national symbol but also undermines the unity and country’s pride.
Citizens on social media have also expressed their concerns about the burning of the flag, saying the DA is just being disrespectful and sending the wrong message to the world.
Meanwhile, the DA continued to defend the advert, stating that they were sending a message to the citizens that the country was being destroyed right under their nose.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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