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EFF members at Sandton City Mall during the national closure of all Clicks outlets.
Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo
- The EFF wants Unilever to explain itself about the recent announcement, which sparked outrage.
- In a letter to Unilever CEO Alan Jope, the party has threatened “crackdowns” if there is no response within 24 hours.
- Meanwhile, you will also meet with click management on Thursday after a request.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has written to Unilever CEO Alan Jope and has given the company 24 hours to explain its recent TRESemme announcement, which caused outrage after being posted on the Clicks website.
The letter from the secretary general of the party, Marshall Dlamini, dated September 9, indicates that he is seeking answers, in the interest of accountability, after being informed by Clicks that the announcement was commissioned by the entity on its website.
Dlamini said in the letter:
If we do not receive a response within 24 hours, we will take the strongest action against TRESemme, without further notice.
Unilever had issued an apology on its website on Friday, saying it was wrong.
“We are investigating how this happened and why it was not detected, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that it does not happen again,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the EFF will meet with Clicks management, led by CEO Vikesh Ramsunder, on Thursday, it said in a statement Wednesday evening.
The meeting will take place on Thursday at the EFF headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Click ads for hair: enough is enough
The meeting comes after three days of protest action at the retail group’s stores following the posting of TRESemmé’s ad on Clicks’ website last Friday.
The ad sparked outrage after it showed images of white women’s hair as “fine and flat,” while black women’s hair as “dry and damaged.”
The retailer has since apologized for the ad.
Unilever also apologized for the announcement, saying the marketing campaign was established to celebrate the beauty of all hair types and the range of solutions the product offers.
READ ALSO | Click protest: EFF deputy among 10 arrested for property destruction
“The images are not in line with the values of our brand, or of Clicks. TRESemmé South Africa apologizes for the offense these images have caused. We also apologize to the Clicks group.”
EFF members, including its president, Julius Malema, have been protesting in front of the stores.
“It is important to note that the EFF’s peaceful protests will continue at all Clicks outlets as planned on September 10, 2020.
“We encourage all members and ground forces to maintain the highest level of discipline as we continue to uphold the dignity of blacks,” the EFF said in the statement.
In a media update Wednesday night, Clicks said Stores across the country will reopen for commerce on Thursday, with contingency plans to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
Several retailers, including the Shoprite group and Pick n Pay, have recalled TRESemmé products from their stores.
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