Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has on Tuesday condemned in the strongest terms the election advert by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which shows the burning of the South African flag.
The Minister said the South African flag will not be used as an instrument to sow division and hysteria.
“I am considering further steps to take against the abhorrent political advertisement by the DA which shows the burning of the South African flag. The desecration of national symbols should not be part of election campaigning, nor should it be tolerated,” Minister Kodwa said on X.
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A day after the official opposition party had launched its controversial advertisement online, Kodwa said: “In the 30 years of South African democracy and freedom, it has been evident time and time again that our flag is a unifier and an integral component in the building of our nation. Those who choose to use our flag to divide us will not succeed. The South African flag represents our nationhood. It represents the coming together of our people.”
The Minister instructed the Acting Director-General, advisors and the legal unit of the department to advise him on the recourse government can take on this matter.
Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen defended his party, saying the advert is a reminder to voters who will vote for an ANC, EFF and MK Party coalition in the national and provincial elections later this month.
He described the likely cooperation of these parties as a ‘doomsday coalition’ that will cause economic decline for the country.
