By The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) political advertisement which depicts the burning of the national flag ahead of the national and provincial elections has caused much outcry across the country, as such, the SABC has decided not to flight the advert on its platform.
The public broadcaster in its letter dated 9 May 2024, to the DA said it has written to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to inform it of the SABC’s decision to reject the DA’s advertisement.
The SABC says it has been monitoring the outcry by the masses from all races condemning the advertisement which is currently on various media platforms.
“Likewise, the SABC believes that the advertisement encourages damage of treasured national symbols. The national flag is a national symbol which represents diverse elements of the country and national unity. Additionally, it is expected that the national flag should be accorded with dignity and respect. Thus, the flag is not a representation of a political party but the nation at large,” said the SABC in the letter.
“As a responsible public broadcaster, the SABC will not want to be part of fuelling the outrage that is evidenced on divergent media platforms,” said the public broadcaster.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the advertisement saying it undermines the gains of the country’s democracy in its 30 years journey. He said the depiction is desperate and inciteful and undermines the principles of democracy and unity in the midst of the national celebration of 30 Years of Freedom and the preservation of tolerance and peace in the build-up to the 29 May national and provincial elections.
“All South Africans should deplore this abuse of our national flag for party political purposes. Our flag is a symbol of identity, integrity and unity that we fly with a pride and consciousness that transcends party political interests. Our flag holds profound significance for the nation as it represents the hard-won freedoms and peace achieved through historical struggles against injustice.
As government, we firmly defend the right to freedom of expression, with the expectation that this right be exercised with respect for all people and that it does not incite social upheaval or violence. To manipulate or exploit national symbols for personal or partisan gain is disrespectful and also undermines the essence of democracy and civic responsibility. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that our elections free, fair and dignified,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
DA Leader John Steenhuisen has defended the advert saying it depicts what will happen to the rainbow nation should the ANC remain in power and go on a coalition with the EFF. Reacting the banning of the advertisement, Steenhuisen says an ANC cadre within the SABC has banned the ad criticising the ruling party.
“The prospect of seeing our flag, and all that it symbolises, going down in flames, has grabbed the attention of a country that is about to go through the most profound political transition in 30 years. Imagine a coalition between the ANC, the violent EFF, and the Zuma faction. Under this coalition of corruption, life will only get worse. This election is about survival. The survival of the South African flag, and our South African dream,” said Steenhuisen.
The DA Leader says the hysteric response by the ANC to the advertisement is sign on how worse things will get under the ANC rule. He took a swipe at Ramaphosa saying instead of the DA, he is the one committing treason.
“In his desperation to defend the ANC’s plan to form a coalition with the EFF and other looters, Cyril Ramaphosa even tried to label our message as “treason. It’s funny that he should use this particular word to defend his plans for a Doomsday Coalition with the EFF.
Because if there is one person in this country who is guilty of treason against the people of South Africa, it is Cyril Ramaphosa. He committed treason against our flag when he helped Jacob Zuma sell our country to the Guptas! He committed treason against our flag when he served as chairman of the corrupt cadre deployment committee that captured our state!” he said.
“He committed treason against our flag when he stuffed thousands of undeclared American Dollars into his Phala Phala couch! He committed treason against our flag when he consigned over 30 million people to poverty and over 10 million people to unemployment!
He committed treason against our flag by plunging millions of children into hunger and malnutrition while he spends R139 million for food on board his VIP jet! Cyril Ramaphosa and his corrupt ANC are traitors against the people of South Africa. For thirty long years, they have desecrated our beautiful flag with their looting and their incompetence.
For thirty long years, they have betrayed the hopes and dreams of the people of Soweto. For thirty long years, they have defiled the memory of Vilakazi Street by enriching themselves and impoverishing the people. They live in luxury mansions funded by taxpayers worth R1 billion, while people in Gauteng still don’t have decent housing,” he continued.
