Johannesburg - The Star ran an online poll on Twitter and Facebook, asking whether the DA should continue using Madiba’s voice in its election campaign advert.
On Facebook, the opinions were mixed, but most people felt Madiba was an icon for all.
Yusuf Gallant said: “If they have the same vision the late old man had, to make this country a country for all its people, then yes.
“The ANC is using Mandela’s face for too long now and are just doing the opposite of Mandela’s belief.”
Nanda Pillay: “And why not? The ANC don’t own Madiba and never did. He was a South African before he was a member of the ANC. He would be very sad to see what’s become of the ANC.”
Elizabeth Ntswaki Madia: “No, no & a big nooo. They should stop calling us on our phones as a form of canvassing & leave Madiba out of their ads. They will never be original, ANC Waya Waya.”
Tza Tzama: “Yes. And any party that wants to. Even Thabo Mbeki’s voice. See, those were South Africa’s presidents including Kgalema Motlanthe. My yes is for unity in our diversity. Else, no Madiba for election campaigns.”
Sandile Mekana: “Mandela is the people’s president more than the ANC’s president, and he proved that on several occasions.
“Every South African will associate themselves with Madiba magic, bcz of love and respect for the man. And they will use anything to get the magic’.”
Thabani Mdluli: “DA must trace their origin of apartheid. Now they are desperate for black people’s votes, they are using Madiba’s voice.
“Black people should never forget that a lot of black people died while Madiba was in prison, captured by the very same people who call themselves DA (Boers).
“If they loved him they would have never arrested him and they would have voted for him in 1994.
“Because of DA in case * don’t remember words that was used by your grandpa and father to our black African people, I will remind *. Madiba was made by ANC to become what he was.”
Nicky Tyrrell: “The one thing I feel absolutely sure of is that Mr Mandela would be ashamed and disgusted with the state of the ANC and its gross corruption. Starting at the top. I feel in my heart that he would be more supportive of the DA of today.