Johannesburg -
DA leader Helen Zille and Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane launched the party's second “Ayisafani” TV advert in Mamelodi, outside Pretoria on Monday.
“This advert tells the real story of how the DA is growing in South Africa, and why the ANC is so worried about us in this election,” Zille said in a speech prepared for delivery.
“Ayisafani 2: The DA is bigger, stronger, and ready to win!” would air on television every day from Tuesday, until Sunday, the Democratic Alliance said.
The 45-second advert, which is on YouTube, starts with Maimane in front of a mirror, getting dressed in a grey suit and white shirt saying: “So, they tried to silence us, but this is actually what they're afraid of”, before opening double doors and segueing into the rest of the advert.
It focused on job creation and the growth of the DA.
Maimane told Sapa the party's original advertisement was “censored” by the SA Broadcasting Corporation and the SA Police Service.
He said no other incident proved that their arguments in front of the Independent Communications Authority of SA's (Icasa) complaints and compliance committee were valid.
“The DA do not design adverts to our opponents' criticism, we design adverts to speak to the electorate. We wanted to make an offer to the people. I think we've got a fairly strong advert and a positive offer.”
On Monday, SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said in terms of advertising regulations, an advert should be submitted 72 hours before it is expected to air.
He said all adverts should be checked and evaluated before they can be aired.
The DA said it expected it to air on the public broadcaster from Tuesday.
On Friday, a complaint by the SA Police Service regarding the first DA election advert that contains a photo of a police officer shooting rubber bullets was upheld by Icasa.
“The election period tends to bring about a lot of volatility. The police should not be seen as a threat to the community,” chairman of Icasa's complaints and compliance committee Wandile Tutani said at the time.
“The offending part of the advert (must) be excised. That is our decision.”
The police had submitted that it would incite violence against themselves.
The advert was first pulled by the SABC after it was flighted on April 8 and 9. The public broadcaster said it incited violence.
Zille said in her speech prepared for delivery in Mamelodi the party was stronger than it had ever been and believed it was the only party which could challenge the currently governing ANC at a provincial level. - Sapa