Clicks advert triggers fight back
Clicks have been the lead trending tag on social media especially on Twitter following their controversial advert post on their website on Friday.
The advert described Black female hair as “dry” and “damaged” while blonde straight hair was tagged “fine” and “flat.”
See the screenshots of the controversial post below that made the headlines of many topics of discussion.
Their controversial description of Black hair vexed so many South Africans offline and online.
Some were of the opinion that the post was intentionally published to “provoke” black people and “promote racism”.
Some called on Clicks to apologize while others said the company must sell natural hair products at low prices to show that they support black women.
Clicks must apologize by giving every woman with natural hair a voucher to buy natural hair products to the value of R1000, they insulted our hair, they must pay…….If not they will lose us to Dischem permanently!#clicksmustfall#clicks pic.twitter.com/Yc1xW6Mbnz
— SingsBeja (@Singatwa13) September 4, 2020
I am black 🖤
I’m a naturalist ♥️
I don’t condone racism.
Dear Clicks, our relationship is over#clicksmustfall pic.twitter.com/CrhXWTkOLD— Lerato mariti (@Gloriousmariti) September 4, 2020
WITH THAT BEING SAID! I sincerely call upon all the African Woman in SA, Show them that you cannot be stopped ! You hold the power! Since talk is cheap and we can tweet all we want I ask that on the 5th and 6th we don’t buy anything frm @Clicks_SA #clicksmustfall #RacismMustFall
— African King (@ZakesBantwiniSA) September 4, 2020
Clicks Apology
Following the negative twitter trend about Clicks, the retailing company decided to issue “unequivocal” apology on twitter.
“We do not condone racism and are strong advocates of natural hair. We are deeply sorry and will put in place stricter measures on our website,” it said.
We would like to issue an unequivocal apology. We have removed the images which go against everything we believe in. We do not condone racism and we are strong advocates of natural hair. We are deeply sorry and will put in place stricter measures on our website.
— Clicks (@Clicks_SA) September 4, 2020
We have made a mistake and sincerely apologise for letting you down. We recognise we have a role to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive S.A, starting with our website content. We know we need to do better, and commit to ensuring our content better reflects this value.
— Clicks (@Clicks_SA) September 4, 2020
Clicks must shutdown-EFF
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party members expressed their disgust at Clicks apology that lacked “remorse” and “emotions”.
They condemned the post and expected more than the apology tendered.
The EFF on Sunday made an open call on the same twitter lanes and called on its “fighters” and “ground forces” to get ready to “Attack”.
The party issued a memorandum to the company to shut down all its over 800 stores for five days starting from Monday or else, they will be forced to shut down.
Press Alert: EFF Officials led by the CiC @Julius_S_Malema Will lead the SHUTDOWN of all the @Clicks_SA at various Clicks outlets as follows: pic.twitter.com/yZ7f4WJ6L0
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 6, 2020
The second trigger- “We are not closing”
After receiving the threats issued by EFF, the retailing company on Sunday announced via Twitter that they were not going to shut down.
“Clicks provides a much needed health-care service to South Africans and stores will not be closed. Contingency plans have been put in place to ensure the safety of both customers and staff,” it said.
Clicks Trading Monday 07 September 2020 pic.twitter.com/XA453poHU6
— Clicks (@Clicks_SA) September 6, 2020
This morning, it was reported that a Clicks store in at Saveways Centre in Emalahleni (Witbank) was petrol bombed.
AND SO IT STARTS!!! CLICKS STORE WITBANK PETROL BOMBED. pic.twitter.com/h6sIeY4NTR
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) September 7, 2020
In a video footage, a Clicks store in Eastern Cape town of Komani was also destroyed.
CLICKS QUEENSTOWN. EC pic.twitter.com/DgBUcScgey
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) September 7, 2020
Other Clicks stores have also been affected by the “fight against racism”.
