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By Sihle Mlambo 
1 hour ago
Johannesburg – Nonkululeko Gobodo, the first black woman to become a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, has resigned from her position as a Non-Executive Director of the Clicks Group following the recent controversy over a TRESemmé ad that appeared on the Clicks website.
In a statement this week, Clicks said that Gobodo had resigned, citing personal reasons.
Last week, Gobodo said that both Clicks and TRESemmé, the companies at the center of a storm of racism over black women’s hair, should reveal the names of the top executives who participated in the publication of the controversial racist ad describing the black women’s hair like frizzy. , dull, dry and damaged, sparking online outrage and subsequent EFF-led protests at Clicks stores across the country.
Neither company has named the executives involved. At Clicks, a senior executive resigned and two junior employees face disciplinary action for the ad being posted.
On Thursday, Gobodo, in an interview with Talk Radio 702, shared an idea about why he had left his position at the pharmaceutical and beauty supply store.
He said he had not been asked to become a de facto spokesperson for Clicks and said he hates injustice.
Having recently launched her own anti-racism and bias initiative, called Awaken, she said she felt like a hypocrite sitting on a board that had been accused of what she now publicly opposed.
“People are very sad at Clicks because I’m leaving, I’m sad too, but I have to be faithful to my values because of my position.
“I cannot, on the one hand, say that I am taking a position against racism and prejudice against women, and on the other, sit on a board that was accused of that.
“When I reflected, I felt hypocritical, I could not continue,” he said.
Gobodo said she had launched the Awaken anti-racism initiative because she was tired of seeing institutions and society “dance on these issues.”
“So this (racist ad) happens, I was a leader, I couldn’t do anything. When I reflected, I felt hypocritical.
“I felt that I could not freely follow my initiative against racism and prejudice sitting in a meeting (which had been accused of the same), I will have to compromise my message and think about Clicks every time I speak.
“I felt like I needed to be free, I felt like I had to free myself and (be true to) my values,” he said.
Gobodo said he has no regrets about taking a media tour in defense of Clicks and felt he had achieved his goal: to make sure the “real culprits” were held accountable.
“I hate injustice, I couldn’t as a leader just sit back and do nothing during a crisis. For me, the fact that Clicks was blamed for the entire saga was tremendously unfair, when the real culprits were getting away with it.
“I felt that we had to make things clear and yes, Clicks must assume its responsibility, but let’s not let the real culprits get away with it.
“People were suffering, I myself, as a black woman, was deeply offended by that advertisement. We needed, as an organization, to speak to people’s pain.
“The CEO was doing everything possible, but I felt that I needed support so that people know that yes, we do not like what is happening, yes what is happening is wrong, but we care about people, that was my motivation. for taking a step forward, ”he said.
Gobodo said there was no grudge between her and the board, and she was confident the company would continue its “commendable” journey of transformation.
He also said he holds Clicks CEO Vikesh Ramsunder in high regard and said he was the best candidate for the position when he was appointed in January last year.
“This was a personal decision. I am sure that they will continue on the path of transformation.
“(They were) very happy with the interviews (that I did), there were no problems for me to speak,” he said.
Gobodo also said that the focus shifted to Tresemmé and Unilever after she spoke, so she was happy and had no regrets.
“Admit that you are wrong, respect people’s opinions and feelings. Always take responsibility and responsibility.
“Second, the narrative changed (after I spoke), because the media started to hold Tresemmé and Unilever accountable for what they had done, so I feel like I achieved my purpose,” he said.
MESS
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