JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA- President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned an opposition party’s campaign ad featuring a burning national flag as “treasonous,” escalating tensions three weeks before the election.
The Democratic Alliance’s ad uses the burning flag to symbolize the risks of the ruling African National Congress retaining power in a coalition with left-wing parties.
Ramaphosa accused the DA of desecrating a symbol of national unity, calling it the “most despicable political act.”
The DA, which won the second-largest share of votes in the last election, aims to unite voters against the ANC’s potential coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters and former President Jacob Zuma’s allies.
The ad features a slowly burning flag, followed by an intact one unrolling with the slogan “Unite to rescue South Africa, vote DA.
“Helen Zille, former DA leader and chairperson of the party’s federal council, defended the ad, saying it represents the damage done to Nelson Mandela’s vision by 30 years of ANC rule.
She dismissed criticism from those who would never vote for the DA anyway, framing the ad as a choice between “burning the flag” or “restoring” it.
DA leader John Steenhuisen called a potential ANC-EFF coalition a “doomsday” scenario but hasn’t ruled out partnering with the ANC in government.
The ANC, confident of winning the election without a coalition, currently polls at just over 40% support.
