The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) has decided to fight fire with fire after Sanral tried to convince Gauteng citizens that paying for etolls is the right thing to do through celebrity-endorsed videos earlier this month.

But instead of using celebrities, Outa’s campaign makes use of everyday “active citizens” to take a stab at the national roads agency.

“Outa’s response to Sanral’s celebrity adverts was to ask two ordinary South Africans their views on e-tolls and how they, as citizens, plan to deal with a government that has lost touch with society,” Outa said in a statement.

And as a service to you, our readers, we’ve embedded both of Outa’s ads below for your convenience. Check them out:

Sanral unveiled its series of adverts earlier this month featuring entertainers Khanyi Mbau, Minnie Dlamini and Tbo Touch speaking about the benefits of etolls, ending off with an “encouraging” word to all motorists.

“When I first heard about etolls, I was just as mad as everyone else,” Dlamini says in her ad. “At the end of the day, etolls is for a higher quality of life, it’s for better roads, it’s for safety. And as a woman who drives a lot, I’m for those things…I’m for etolls.”

Just as predictably as in Sanral’s pro-etoll ads, however, the South Africans in Outa’s ads regurgitate that organisation’s research and findings, rather than giving their opinions in their own words. At least, that’s how it seems to us. Also, the request for donations in both videos is a little uncomfortable, but we understand – legal battles cost money.

Still, it’s an interesting turn of events in the war of words happening between the two organisations, and we’re glad Outa is fighting back.