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JOHANNESBURG – Small Business Development Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the time to accept apologies for racism is over.
Ntshavheni rejected the apology made by Clicks management for the racist hair advertisement that caused outrage in the country.
She says Clicks should remove the TRESemmé product from its shelves as an expression of its disengagement from vendors promoting racist and insensitive marketing.
“Clicks misses the point that the offense is not just about the images that are insensitive but the fact that it represents TTRESemmé’s views that are racist and reflects the continuing undermining of the beauty of African women and the violence that they suffer when they are seen as failing to meet certain superficial standards, “Ntshavheni said.
“Therefore, withdrawing the ad and issuing a public apology cannot be enough.”
READ: SAHRC says Clicks ad undoes years of work for equality
The minister says that apologies must be backed by actions to build a non-racial and egalitarian society.
“The time for South Africa to accept lip service apologies for racism and derogatory acts is over, but apologies must be backed by actions to build a non-racial and egalitarian society,” said the minister.
“A non-racial and egalitarian society can only be sustained by an inclusive economy, which requires the empowerment of black, women and youth businesses.”
READ: Two Clicks employees suspended
Several Clicks stores were unable to open on Monday after protests by EFF members.
The Red Berets promise to continue their pickets until Friday if the company does not name and shame those responsible.
