UPDATE:
Some of Nike stores including Canal Walk, Cresta Mall, and Sandton City have closed for business today, following the public outrage over Adam Catzavelos racist video.
@Nike stores in South Africa have been closed following public outrage over #AdamCatzavelos racist video. Local media says his wife works at the sportswear firm. South Africa has history of violent protests against brands associated with racism pic.twitter.com/8IIeMHH8Bh
— Joe Brock (@joebrock2) August 22, 2018
Was hoping to get some insight frim @Nike at Canal Walk on whether it is true that #AdamCatzavelos is married to their brand manager as claimed on social media but Canal Walk branch I went to is closed. Company sent email reply condemning racism. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/94lDnB4Uec
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) August 22, 2018
The power with which black twitter will drag you, your edges & yr whole life. The #AdamCatzavelos vid got @Nike to shut all doors today. pic.twitter.com/IcfM062w04
— Nozipho Kunene (@justNOZ) August 22, 2018
A video of a South African Businessman, who has been identified as Adam Catzavelos – using the K-word to refer to black people while at a beach has fueled outrage and went viral on social media.
In a 22-second video shared by Farah Fortune, the man is expressing his joy for not seeing black people on the beach “Let me give you a weather forecast here. Blue skies, beautiful day, amazing sea and not one k^ff^r in sight. F*cking heaven on earth. You cannot beat this…”
“….. and not one K@!##&÷ in sight ” wow… why doesn’t he move there then. Some of you white folks are tiring. pic.twitter.com/pMl3IXPf4F
— Farah C. Fortune (@fcfortune) August 21, 2018
Catzavelos wife is Merchandising Director at Nike
Top story: Social Media From anti @sbukasimo: ‘Meet Adam Catzavelos, husband to Kelly Catzavelos who is the Merchandising director at Nike. Both of them have deleted their social media pages. @Twinsondecks @nealcol @rob… pic.twitter.com/ueLTXSiW6S, see more https://t.co/WmLWeAhcVg
— we are anti (@weareanti1) August 21, 2018
The deafening silence of Nike as a Brand directly and indirectly associated with this racists is worrying @Nike @nikestore @NikeStoreEurope may be as South Africans we need to boycott this brand.
— Bayi (@SitheloBayi) August 21, 2018
Nike has issued a response and distances itself from the racist video
“Nike opposes discrimination and has a long-standing commitment to diversity‚ inclusion and respect. We believe in the power of human potential in everyone – of every race‚ religion‚ nationality‚ gender and sexual orientation.
“We can also confirm that Adam Catzavelos is not a Nike employee‚” the company stated.
In addition, Nedbank and 702 have strongly condemned the racist rant of Adam Catzavelos. The banking institution also confirmed that Catzavelos is not an employee of Nedbank. The video created a twitter storm with some calls to boycott businesses linked to him such as St George’s Fine Foods, The Smoke House and Grill Fourways and BBQ King Distributors.
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