The DA has recently posted one of their most interesting electoral ploys to date. A Grand Theft Auto (GTA) San Andreas-inspired poster, remixed with South African imagery and dubbed Grand Theft Auto South Africa.

At a first glance, many people might wonder why the DA decided to bring GTA into our politics, and so we’re breaking it down.

Targeted campaigning:

GTA has been an iconic game-defining millennials and generation Z’s gaming experiences.

As the youth who are eligible to vote are obviously a future-proof demographic, it makes political sense to pique the interest of people between 18-36.

Whether people take note of the parallels drawn behind the message, it’s still attention-grabbing because of how iconic that particular 2004 installment of the game is. After all, it was the best-selling PS2 game of all time. 

So let’s talk about the game and the political underpinnings:

Based on the DA’s interpretation, we can see the ‘action’ shots of the game that has become our country. We know that the DA is painting the ‘characters’ out as criminals because of the slogan that reads “more theft or change? Your choice.”

We’ve got former president Jacob Zuma on the roll call, alongside other high profile political members who have faced deep corruption allegations. Then there’s Zweli Mkhize who recently faced the wrath of the EFF and DA for his role in corruption. Ace Magashule, who is still fighting his capture in the step aside resolution has also made the poster. Former Bosasa Chief Operations Officer Angelo Agrizzi and  Zandile Gumede feature too.

And finally, in the biggest frame rests current ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

At first glance, one might think the parallels to the game are pretty simple. It’s theft and it’s grand, right?

If you know the game, however, it’s actually a pretty well thought out campaign message.

This installment of GTA was defined by corruption at the hands of the police, police brutality, silencing of characters who tried to speak out and overall corruption of society.

San Andreas also involved hefty gangsterism, and obvious inequality in the community and the complete lack of concern for lower class residence. Also, there are quite literally power outages.

In the game, you had a chance to be anything you wanted to be.

A cop, master of flight, pimp, undercover politician or a taxi driver. There were options to be society’s definition of good, but that was never going to make you any money.

And in the case of South Africa, the DA is making the statement that our politicians have made their money-hungry choices.

Picture: Twitter

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