Provocative student poster causes sensation on social networks

A campaign by the student wing of South Africa’s official opposition party is causing a sensation on social networks. The campaign by the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) features a topless white man and black woman embracing.

The poster, which is an advert of the organisation’s 2012 membership campaign, also comes with the tagline: “In OUR future, you wouldn’t look twice”.

Since hitting Facebook a couple of hours ago, the poster has generated around 150 “likes”, 75 shares and 370 odd comments.

A number of the comments have reacted negatively to the implied nudity in the poster.

“I don’t get why they are naked? I’d totally look twice if I saw (any race of) two naked people like that,” said Jade Adami.

“Is this a Lovers Plus ad or a political campaign? I’m a bit confused…” said Kirsten Jade Francis

Award winning South African journalist Natasha Josephs retweeted one comment that reflected on the apparent economic status of the couple pictured in the poster:

“Not sure what this says? Privileged people with great hair can have heterosexual relationships?”

To which Nomalanga Mkhize replied

@TashJoeZA That was the ugliest weave ever. And that guy’s hair would leave maps on your pillow. In my future people have clean hair #DASO

— Nomalanga Mkhize (@NomalangaSA) January 23, 2012

Twitter user Johan Schwella addressed DA leader Helen Zille directly:

@SilverStreak2OV @helenzille Why do they assume that everyone will look twice. Focus on the positive. Terrible attempt at shock tactics.

— Johann Schwella (@johannschwella) January 23, 2012

Zille replied, seemingly oblivious to the campaign:

@johannschwella what shock tactics?

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 23, 2012

Schwella then linked to the ad, and included his impression of what it seemed to be saying:

@helenzille This ad for the DA Youth: bit.ly/AyPMFm It reads as “Join the DA Youth and in the future you won’t be a rascist.”

— Johann Schwella (@johannschwella) January 23, 2012