BOYCOTT: Nando’s implicated by Gareth Cliff racism comments on The Burning Platform
Nando’s is under fire for improper handling of alleged racist comments by presenter Gareth Cliff and guest DA leader John Steenhuisen towards fellow panellist One South Africa’s national spokeswoman, Mudzuli Rakhivhane.
In the buildup to Municipal elections set to take place on 1 November 2021, Nando’s sponsored dialogue “The burning platform” was hosted by Gareth Cliff. He invited opposition parties’ One South African movement led by former Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane and Democratic Alliance federal leader John Steenhuisen.
The dialogue whose clips went viral on social media was kick-started by presenter Gareth Cliff asking One South Africa’s national spokeswoman, Mudzuli Rakhivhane, about their party strategy of supporting independent candidates.
The conversation got heated, unbalanced and insulting when Gareth Cliff shouted down Mudzuli when he said no one prioritizes racism and personal racism experience are not important, and people are interested in service delivery. Constant speaking over Rakhivhane by Gareth Cliff to shut her racism concerns down angered South Africans who demanded that he should be cancelled.
Video: Nando’s The Burning Platform
One South Africa’s national Spokesperson took it to Twitter and posted the video clip from The Burning Platform conversation and captioned it:
When they try to talk over you and tell you that your experiences as a black woman in South Africa do not matter. Racism is structural and even operates at a municipal level, and the literal definition of black lives doesn’t matter.
When they try to talk over you and tell you that your experiences as a black woman in South Africa do not matter🤦🏽♀️. Racism is structural and even operates at a municipal level. The literal definition of black lives don’t matter. 💀 pic.twitter.com/i2KcVzjcCd
— Mudzuli Rakhivhane (@Mudzuli_Rakhi) October 22, 2021
The response from the show sponsors Nando’s added a pinch to the fresh wound. They seemed unbothered by the racism outcry on their platform. In a bid to bring their public relations A game, Nando’s further exacerbated the situation by playing the Freedom of speech card.
We know that you know what happened in the exchange between the panelists on The Burning Platform on 21st October 2021. We are a proudly South African brand that takes the right to freedom of speech very seriously. [1/2]
— NandosSA (@NandosSA) October 22, 2021
We know that you know what happened in the exchange between the panellists on The Burning Platform on 21st October 2021. We are a proudly South African brand that takes a right to freedom of speech very seriously. [1/2]
We do not, and will never, invalidate anyone’s experiences or condone racism in any form. We are taking this serious matter under review. [2/2]
Calls to boycott Nando’s have reached alarming levels, and the chicken fast-food chain is set to feel the consequences of poor handling of the racist comments.
https://twitter.com/dumigwebu/status/1451728671555964930
@NandosSA my problem is that you support this platform at all. People like Gareth and John have had their version of what matters in SA, as THE narrative, for far too long. Why not support the voiceless? If you really care about freedom of speach ? Use YOUR brand for good.
— Caren Falconer 🇿🇦 (@FalconerCaren) October 23, 2021
Nando’s alternatives offered already
Cant wait until we have Moja Chicken everywhere, these brands are just disrespectful and disgusting while we are supporting them, we can't keep sponsoring things that hurt us!!! pic.twitter.com/CUMEPutTwY
— Felo (@felo_on) October 22, 2021
Update…. Nando’s terminates five-year sponsorship of The Burning Platform
The power of social media has now been put to test and passed with flying colours, The Burning Platform show sponsors, Nando’s has terminated their contract with Gareth Cliff following public outcry.
In its statement, Nando’s says it has been highly disappointed by Gareth Cliff’s conduct hence terminated their contract with the show.
— NandosSA (@NandosSA) October 23, 2021