Nando’s terminated its sponsorship of a segment of Gareth Cliff’s online radio show, after Cliff allegedly fanned flames of racism dubbing an individuals’ experience of racism as “anecdotal and unimportant”, since municipal elections should be focused on service delivery.
Cliff featured a debate on The Burning Platform: OneSA vs. The DA, between Mudzuli Rakhivane, spokesperson for One South Africa Movement and John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The show aired on 21 October, which focused on a debate about the DA’s posters in Phoenix.
Here is a part of the interview:
@real_patriot_za #patriot_maggz #fypシ ♬ original sound – 🇿🇦Patriot•ZA🇿🇦
Cliff said he is sure there are more than 100 000 people going to bed at night, wondering where their next meal is coming from, as opposed to “about five people” worrying about the “hideous racism” going on.
Rakhivhane said she can speak from her own experience, to which Cliff replied her personal experience is completely anecdotal and unimportant and that he is not interested in identity politics.
He then continued to speak over her, saying that the municipal elections are coming up and should be focused on service delivery of water, electricty and roads.
The debate sparked national outcry, with residents of South Africa taking to Twitter to express their unhappiness.
Nando’s were grilled for taking too long to respond and then taking a “lukewarm and undercooked” stance. Earlier today Nando’s released an updated media statement, saying that Nando’s supports healthy debate and the right to freedom of speech.
“In the case of The Burning Platform episode aired on 21st October 2021, Nando’s is of the view that Gareth Cliff failed to create an environment where free speech was possible, by talking over Mudzuli Rakhivhane and dismissing her view whilst not allowing her to adequately express it.”
They then proceeded to confirm they have terminated their sponsorship with immediate effect.
— NandosSA (@NandosSA) October 23, 2021
