The SABC has refused to air fast food franchise Nando's latest advertisement which questions xenophobia because it apparently contravenes regulations.
The Cape Times reported that the public broadcaster was meant to flight the advert on Thursday night but plugged it because of its “xenophobic undertone”.
The SABC told Nando’s that the advert violated the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act and the Advertising Standards Authority Act.
The video begins with a few people jumping over a fence at the South African border, followed by a voice over which says: “You know what’s wrong with South Africa? It’s all you foreigners.”
It then shows locals of different races and cultures disappearing in puffs of smoke.
According to the report, it also shows immigrants such as Chinese, Nigerians, Indians and Europeans vanish.
The only person left, a Khoisan, says: “I’m not going anywhere. You @&*$# [swear word blocked out in advert] found us here.”
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago told the newspaper the advert would incite attacks on foreigners.
“Nando’s may say that it is trying to promote diversity but what we are concerned about is that the public might interpret it differently.” – Sapa