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[Video] Opposition brings Mandela back ahead of local polls, family protests

[Video] Opposition brings Mandela back ahead of local polls, family protests

South Africa

When the leading opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) in South Africa launched their highly publicized campaign advert over the week, very few people expected the country’s iconic leader and statesman, Nelson Mandela, to feature.

But the 60 seconds ad had the voice of Mandela between the 38th and 44th seconds mark. His words were; ‘‘Let there be justice for all, let there be peace, let there be work, let there be bread for all.’‘

In apparent reference to the need for South Africans to do all it takes to kick out Mandela’s party, the ruling Africa National Congress (ANC) which has been in power since 1994.

WATCH the DA’s ‘Controversial’ Campaign Advert

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Family protests use of Mandela’s audio recording

Reuters reports that the family of the late anti-Apartheid leader are furious that a voice recording of Mandela had been used in a campaign more so subtly against the party he belonged to.

“The DA is doing it to benefit a party which Mandela was not a member of,” Mandla Mandela, the grandson of the former president and a member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in parliament, told the ANN7 news network.

The ANC, faces a stiff test in local elections on Aug. 3. The DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) hope to capitalize on a poorly performing economy and allegations of corruption against the ANC.

Opposition mounts defence, Mandela was for all

The DA meanwhile have defended the use of Mandela’s words. “This great man stood for a nonracial South Africa,” said DA spokesperson Refiloe Nt’sekhe.

“The DA is the only party able to take South Africa to the nonracial future it needs. To say that Mandela does not belong to all South Africans is atrocious.”

Online media outlet News24 reported that the Mandela family had appealed to the electoral authorities to take action against the DA, according to Reuters report.

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