We won't chicken out - TopTV
PAY channel TopTV will screen a Nando's fast food franchise advertisement that has been described as xenophobic, the channel's air-time sales spokesman Jean Meyer said.
He said the aim was to give TopTV subscribers the opportunity to choose if they wanted to see it or not.
The advert begins with people jumping a fence on one of South Africa 's borders, followed by a voice-over that says: "You know what's wrong with South Africa? It's all you foreigners".
Then it proceeds to show various races across the country disappearing in puffs of smoke. Eventually, all races disappear - with only a Khoisan left. He then turns to the screen and says: "I'm not going anywhere. You *$E!@#* (swear word blocked out in advertisement) found us here."
Meyer said TopTV applauded the franchise for tackling "thorny" issues in the country.
"The positive message contained in the advert, with the line 'Real South Africans love diversity', is a sentiment that all South Africans should embrace."
The advertisement was refused air-play by the SABC, M-Net, DStv and e-tv.
The SABC was reportedly meant to screen the advertisement earlier this month, but pulled it because of its "xenophobic undertone".
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago told the Cape Times that 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," he said.
A print version of the advertisement was subsequently published in the Sunday Times.
In December last year, Nando's pulled a TV advert titled "Last Dictator Standing". It portrayed Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe dining alone on Christmas at a dinner table set for past dictators, including Muammar Gaddafi.
It showed an actor playing Mugabe reminiscing on old times with former dictators.
TopTV said the "diversity" advertisement would be aired as of today across nine of its channels.

Comments
Danielrjvvuren
I do not see why everyone is always on Nando's case. It's a good advert, it speaks to the masses and I for one had a good laugh about it. Banning it, much like the spear, just ads notoriety to it. The advert is already out there and doing well, can we not be so sensitive please.Report Abuse
BaleliM
Is this a wise move for Nandos to make?Report Abuse
DJWinner
I saw this video, it's funny. I see nothing wrong with it.Report Abuse
Real-Mogwanthi
Lol...i wish to see that advert!Report Abuse
truthhurt
Nando ke boss!Report Abuse
Pointman
The advert is on youtube - in case you don't know. I think it is brilliant. It promotes diversity - anybody with two grey cells can see that. The real reason for nixing it is cowardice as it will ingnite a debate about who was the real native people of Southern Africa.Report Abuse
uMnuz
What are we coming to when we can't have an innocent joke anymore? NO sense of humour or what?Report Abuse
malcolm1
not a good ad at all, top tv can continue with the ad coz most ppl watch DSTVReport Abuse
DJWinner
People are opposing everything that TopTV is doing. First it was a porn channel, now this.....Report Abuse
Phunyukabemphethe
Very funny advert, the truth hurtsReport Abuse
Read all 49 comments