DA blasted for comparing Cape Town street to Joburg street which was hit by gas explosion! The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently leveraged a tragic incident—the deadly Joburg CBD gas explosion—to critique the African National Congress (ANC) on infrastructure and governance.
The explosion, which occurred in July 2023 along Bree Street (renamed Lillian Ngoyi Street), left one dead, several injured, and caused significant damage to infrastructure.
In response, the DA posted a controversial comparison between Johannesburg’s damaged Bree Street and Cape Town’s Bree Street, sparking widespread public reaction.
DA blasted for comparing
The DA’s Post: A Comparison Between Two Cities
On Tuesday, the DA posted side-by-side images of Bree Street in Johannesburg and Cape Town on its social media platforms. The Johannesburg image showed the destruction from the explosion, while the Cape Town image showcased a well-maintained street.
The post’s caption, simply reading “breeze,” drew attention to differences between the two areas, subtly positioning the DA-led Cape Town as an example of effective governance in contrast to the ANC-led Johannesburg.
The DA’s post quickly went viral, with users across social media expressing mixed reactions. While some praised the post as highlighting strong governance under DA leadership, others condemned it as an insensitive political tactic exploiting the suffering of Johannesburg residents for political gain.
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Mixed Reactions on Social Media: Criticism and Praise
Criticism of the DA’s Tactics
Many critics on social media were quick to question the DA’s motives, accusing the party of exploiting a tragedy to advance its own agenda.
On X (formerly Twitter), @MonwabisiKete remarked, “The DA hates South Africa and South Africans… It is the only political party that will celebrate people’s suffering in one region to highlight its achievements in another.” This sentiment was echoed by others who argued that the DA’s tactic was divisive, promoting “separate development” that isolates different parts of the country.
Another X user, @CovFefeFentse, took issue with the comparison between Cape Town and Johannesburg, pointing out the contextual differences between the two cities and criticizing the DA for “comparing apples with cabbages.”
Support for the DA’s Leadership in Cape Town
Conversely, some users, particularly on Facebook, lauded the DA for its leadership in Cape Town, describing the city as a model of cleanliness and effective governance.
Commenters praised the city’s maintenance and general appearance, with Francois Wait commenting, “Wonder why I live in Cape Town, the greatest city. Thanks DA, please just keep up the awesome work.” Similarly, Salma Armien noted, “Here in Cape Town it’s clean… our DA keeps the Cape in shape.”
However, amid the praise, several individuals reminded the DA of ongoing challenges in certain areas within the Western Cape, such as Nyanga, Langa, Mitchells Plain, and Khayelitsha.
These neighborhoods face issues such as overcrowded living conditions, housing backlogs, and high rates of gender-based violence and substance abuse. Chris Heunis, in a comment, pointed out these disparities, stating, “The DA is not that great… I live in a DA-ruled town and it almost looks like the Bree Street in Johannesburg.”
The Rehabilitation Project: Delays and Frustrations
The issue of damaged infrastructure in Johannesburg remains a contentious one. Following the explosion, the City of Johannesburg began a rehabilitation project to repair the damage to Lillian Ngoyi Street, formerly Bree Street.
However, the project has faced delays, most recently due to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) firing the initial contractor over performance issues. According to Joburg Mayor Dada Morero, the project has now been set back, with the new completion deadline moved to mid-2025.
Mayor Morero explained the City’s position in an interview with Newzroom Afrika, stating, “The City had done what needed to be done but those that were appointed to do the job would have then failed, which then forced the City of Johannesburg to undergo a process to appoint a new company.”
Morero argued that the delay was not due to municipal inefficiency but rather to a failure on the part of the contracted company.
Public Sentiment and the Bigger Picture
The DA’s post brings to light ongoing debates about governance, accountability, and public trust in South Africa. While the DA’s supporters view Cape Town’s relatively cleaner streets as evidence of its administrative competence, critics argue that the post oversimplifies the complex challenges facing urban governance, particularly in a country with vastly different socioeconomic conditions across regions.
The backlash from some quarters suggests that, while effective governance is important, citizens also value a sense of empathy and respect. As Gauteng’s infrastructure issues continue, there is a need for all parties to work together to address pressing challenges without resorting to tactics perceived as divisive.
Moving Forward: Collaboration Over Criticism
The Joburg CBD explosion and subsequent delays in repairs highlight the importance of strong and accountable governance at all levels.
Although political parties will naturally emphasize their achievements, public sentiment indicates a desire for constructive solutions over negative comparisons. As both the DA and ANC work to address urban challenges, the focus should remain on delivering service improvements for all South Africans, irrespective of regional or political divides.
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