Gareth Cliff caused an uproar on social media when he made racism comments in a conversation with social activist Mudzuli Rakhivhane and leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen.
Watch: Gareth Cliff makes shocking ‘racism’ comments
The radio broadcaster was in conversation with the two guests on his CliffCentral show and the part that’s gone viral shows Gareth totally dismissing Rakhivhane’s — a woman of colour representing OneSA — personal experiences with racism.
Cliff leaned on the Institute of Race Relations’ (IRR) Racism Is Not the Problem study that supposedly ‘exposed’ the ‘myth’ that “racism is a major problem in South Africa.”
“The survey clearly shows that racism is not a major problem in South Africa. The data shows only 3.3% of South Africans regard racism as one of the biggest problems facing the country and only 16% say they have experienced racism in the last five years,” the IRR claimed.
When Cliff fielded these findings, Rakhivhane rebutted with her own personal experiences which, she said, may not have been represented in the research data, the radio broadcaster was quick to shut down the activist and rubbish her opinion.
Here’s the disturbing clip that’s gone viral on social media:
When they try to talk over you and tell you that your experiences as a black woman in South Africa do not matter🤦🏽♀️. Racism is structural and even operates at a municipal level. The literal definition of black lives don’t matter. 💀 pic.twitter.com/i2KcVzjcCd
— Mudzuli Rakhivhane (@mudzy_r) October 22, 2021
South Africans look at Nando’s next move
As soon as this clip surfaced on social media, it spread faster than wildfire. Cliff, who’s been at the receiving end of the backlash has not bothered about addressing the disgruntlements of the masses.
The attention has since turned to Nando’s, the fast food giant that sponsors Cliff’s show. The tongue-in-cheek brand faces a boycott from fans who demand action on Cliff’s reckless comments.
Here’s how social media reacted to the viral Cliff’s ‘racism’ comments.
Misogynoir "fired up by @NandosSA " https://t.co/DX7xjswpLc
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) October 22, 2021
You can’t just dismiss the experience of people on the ground @GarethCliff.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) October 21, 2021
Given the Gareth Cliff comments, unless I hear from @NandosSA by close of business today, I will personally boycott them and make my views on their silence on – and de facto condoning of – this particular incident known to my clients and base.
— Lorenzo Davids (@UrbanLo) October 22, 2021
Ok so THIS is the most frustrating thread of videos of 2021. White men are so smug especially when they’re dead ass wrong. Why was she outnumbered here? These men have the same racist ass views, this is a masterclass in gaslighting shu. And Nandos..? Nahhh https://t.co/xCqjHEfqVv
— Lesego Tlhabi (@LesegoTlhabi) October 22, 2021
