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Donovan Tooth apologises for fat-shaming women, but many are still threatening to boycott his brand

Cape Town businessman Donovan Tooth said in a now viral video that overweight women must hit the gym. His comments have caused outrage online.
Cape Town businessman Donovan Tooth said in a now viral video that overweight women must hit the gym. His comments have caused outrage online.
Image: Facebook/Gemaine Hagerman Kennedy

Scores of South Africans are threatening to boycott clothing brand, Panda, which is owned by businessman and podcaster Donovan Tooth according to his now-deleted LinkedIn profile, after he fat-shamed women in a now-viral video. 

Tooth has had many reeling over his viral rant in which he said “overweight” women must not be accepted by society but should “hit the treadmill” instead. The video went viral after he posted it on Instastories last week. 

“These overweight, chubby f***** women are getting posted up and are being told 'curves are beautiful and curves are strong.'”

He compared pictures of two models, one who looks lean and plus size US model Jari Jones, saying, “here you have two models, one who looks athletic, built well, sexy and then you've got another one that is overweight and represents anything but being healthy, lean and having a slim body.”

On Facebook, more than 1,000 people joined a group called “Donovan Tooth (Panda Clothing) must fall.” In it, women shared pictures and stories about their struggles with self-image and being overweight.

Landi Van de Venter, a 35-year-old woman, said Tooth's video was triggering.

“The thing is, all the things he said, I say to myself daily. But he triggered something inside me and I can't stop thinking about all his remarks,” reads an excerpt from her post. She urged parents “to keep a close eye on your children” as insensitive remarks can push some people over the edge.

Another Facebook user, Elsu Gericke, said Tooth's ideal weight is not an option for her as she struggles with her insulin levels.

“I've always been overweight because of a health issue that has been a hell of a road. I literally have to eat nothing and gym 8 hours a day if I want to look anywhere close to what the ideal is,” she wrote in part.

Twitter was also flooded with comments from women outraged by his comments. 

Panda Clothing has since apologised for the comment.

The businessman also posted an apology via a Facebook account which has since been deleted. He acknowledged that many women have been hurt by his comments, saying, in part, “the video was uncalled for, it was completely wrong and I should have never said those things”.


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