Nando and Gareth Cliff under fire for racist 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.
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 (@mudzy_r) 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
Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences. It’s very interesting that you deduced this into a freedom of speech issue when it’s clearly a misogynistic and racist issue. Our support for your brand is also under review.
— Dumi Gwebu Edits (@dumigwebu) October 23, 2021
@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
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
In other news – Makhadzi surprises fans with her beautiful Look
Makhadzi has had the time of her life in Botswana, proving that she is indeed an African Queen. When the Ghanama hitmaker arrived in Botswana, she was met with an overwhelming amount of screams from her legions of fans and she was overwhelmed.
What stole the hearts of social media users though was how she gave a make-up artist a chance to work her magic. Learn more
