Fan Page’s Pro-DA Photos of Johannesburg Backfire

Sometimes fans can spoil a good thing, and a post published yesterday on Facebook as a presumably well-intentioned salute to the good that the Democratic Alliance (DA) is doing in Joburg, is currently backfiring.

The post – which appears to show how much the DA has cleaned up the streets of Joburg since they took over from the ANC – has left many South Africans feeling it’s nothing more than manipulated propaganda… with several commenters unfairly criticising the DA for “using ANC tactics to fool people” and the media for “lying to people”.

The media and the DA had nothing to do with the post.

The page which uploaded the photos claims: “This is how things are changing in the inner city under DA’s new leadership of Johannesburg. The first picture was taken on 11 March under the leadership of ANC Mayor Parks Tau. The second on 6 October under the leadership of DA Mayor Herman Mashaba. Well done to our new Mayor and his team. Let’s get SA moving forward again!!!!”

The page’s admin does not mention that the first photo was taken during the Pikitup strike.

Discerning social media users have reacted, including those who support the DA, saying the photos are “subjective”, present a “false” picture, and that the second one shows “how this part of Joburg usually looks” whether the DA or the ANC are in charge.

One commenter added: “I’m sure there has been significant changes, no need to use ANC tactics to fool people in believing the DA is better, this merely shows they’re desperate and that corruption is not just an ANC thing.”

A Joburg local said: “I work in the CBD and I have seen the streets cleaned daily. We cannot hold the moral high ground if we cannot be truthful and fair.”

Several said that safe streets, not clean streets, should be the focus right now.

The page congratulated itself this morning for its post reaching one million views.

“One million views coz of your lies, very disappointing,” replied one user. “Well done and keep on dividing South Africans,” said another.

On the positive side, at least many South Africans are able to distinguish between real good news and slightly subjective propaganda! And there is some real good news in Mayor Herman Mashaba’s Joburg – including that an independent skills audit of employees within the City of Joburg is currently being undertaken to ensure the right people are in the right jobs.

Meanwhile former Mayor Tau Parks is also making South Africa proud, having just been globally recognised for his skills by being elected President of the world body UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments).