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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Monday (August 7), moved to shut down pharmaceutical retailer Clicks stores across the country as part of a campaign against racially insensitive advertisement displayed on the retailer’s website.
The ad included photographs of four women, two black and two white, and described the hair of the two black women as’ dry and damaged; and ‘curly and dull’, while images depicting white women’s hair were described as ‘fine straight hair’ and ‘normal hair’.
The EFF said the ad undermined the dignity of black South Africans and suggested that “the hair of blacks is damaged and inferior to that of whites.”
Clicks, he apologized for the campaign and called it a mistake. In April 2020, data from the group showed that Clicks has a total of 881 retail stores nationwide, employing 15,347 people.
“We made a mistake and we sincerely apologize for disappointing you. We recognize that we have a role to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive SA, starting with the content on our website. We know we have to do better and we are committed to ensuring that our content better reflects this value, ”he said.
And in a statement Sunday night, Clicks said it planned to operate normally on Monday despite the EFF’s attempt to close stores.
“Clicks provides a much needed healthcare service for South Africans and stores will not close. Contingency plans have been implemented to ensure the safety of both clients and staff.
“Clicks has taken full responsibility and unreserved apology for the announcement posted on its website and has taken immediate action to address all concerns.”
Images posted by the EFF’s official social media accounts show members protesting inside and outside Clicks stores across the country.
General secretary @DlaminiMarshall is outside Clicks in the Mall of Africa, Midrand.
We will not allow Clicks’ unrepentant and perverse racism to continue in South Africa. #clicsmustfall pic.twitter.com/7W3beffauA
– Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 7, 2020
CIC @Julius_S_Malema is located on the outskirts of Clicks in the Mall of the North, Polokwane with the provincial leadership, fighters and ground forces.
The only way to make the capitalists apologize and feel genuine remorse is for them to lose money. #ClicksDebeFall pic.twitter.com/sbzt6OmE6q
– Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 7, 2020
Several images published on social networks also show that some Clicks stores have closed preventively with security and shopping center personnel standing guard outside the stores.
Unconfirmed reports also indicate that damage and violence may have increased in some stores.
Witbank clicks petrol pump. pic.twitter.com/XF07POyMET
– Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 7, 2020
Click on Menlyn Mall Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/lTYqo5jN4L
– Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 7, 2020
The EFF said Monday that it had received legal correspondence of the attorneys representing Clicks where the retailer further acknowledged the unintended harm caused by the ad.
Clicks warned that incitement to violence and the potential for harm to staff “cannot be taken lightly” and ordered the EFF to retract the call to close Clicks stores.
In response, the EFF said it would not back down and informed lawyers that “their racist client clicks can go to the nearest hell.”
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