Between the #Tembisa10, a missing hiker showing up at a bar, and Cliff finally speaking out, it’s been a spicy week for South Africans, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson.
For those who might have been left behind, local media personality and radio host Gareth Cliff called a young black woman’s lived experience of racism “anecdotal and unimportant.” The statement, which had the country up in arms, was spat at Mudzuli Rakhivhane during an episode of Cliff’s The Burning Platform show.
Read also: A look into SA’s latest controversy ft. Gareth Cliff and Nandos
Nando’s is beloved by South Africans not only for their delicious chicken but witty advertising that has left a lot of controversial characters in the hot seat (with no wet wipes in sight). However, the popular fast-food chain, which sponsors The Burning Platform show, were roasted alongside Cliff for his racist remarks.
A-little-bit-too-later-on, Nando’s announced in a statement that they are pulling their sponsorship.
Read also: Nandos cuts ties with Gareth Cliff following racial remarks
Cliff said that he has no hard feelings towards the franchise, expressing that sometimes decisions need to be made which are uncomfortable and difficult.
“I’m really not in any way angry with them. I think they had to do what they had to do,” Cliff said.
Read also: Gareth Cliff breaks his silence following controversial comments
Cliff’s reputation aside, Nando’s have unequivocally taken a beating in the media. Competing franchises, namely Pedros, were quick to jump on the bandwagon.
Pedros took to social media to say that “The whole nation is welcome at Pedros. We don’t do politics… Just Great Chicken at Great Prices!”
Read also: Competing fast-food chain kicks Nandos while it’s down following Cliff scandal
Pedros might not do politics, but Nando’s sure do. The chicken and sauce connoisseurs are making headlines again this week, except this time, it’s for offering R500,000 worth of chicken to the best-performing election day vaccination teams.
Pop-up vaccination sites will be deployed at a thousand voting sites on November 1, election day, with the hopes of vaccinating as many people as possible.
But why?
With more than 26 million South Africans registered to vote, there is great concern that fear regarding the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent people from ticking boxes. And so, incentives are being offered to the public for showing up. A jab with a side of free chicken.
By overlapping incentives, like voting and being vaccinated and free food, the national health department is hoping to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
Nando’s will reward a thousand vouchers – worth R500 each – to members of the 15 best-performing teams in each province. Each member of the 135 winning teams will receive a voucher.
So, if you want to work, study, enter a stadium or get free Nando’s chicken, be sure to get yourself vaccinated. But also, being vaccinated is not mandatory.
Read also: Possibility of mandatory vaccines for public servants and R100 voucher incentives?
For a fast-food chain specialising in chicken, it has really managed to save its bacon. Nando’s is back in the good books with the policy coordination and integrated planning at the national department of health Gaurang Tanna saying that “We appreciate this gesture and hope other businesses will come forward to offer more products in appreciation of our hard-working health workers.”
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Stellenbosch University looks to implement mandatory vaccination policy
Picture: Pexels