A South African man who used a racial slur in a holiday video he posted online faced a backlash from across the political spectrum on Wednesday.
The man, who has been identified as Adam Catzavelos, filmed himself wearing a straw hat and mirrored sunglasses on a pristine beach in an undisclosed seaside location.
“Amazing sea and not one k**** insight”, he said to the camera, using an insulting term for a black African.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa says this is unacceptable.
“The racist video which shows a man allegedly identified as Adam Catzavelos using the ‘K-word’, is absolutely unacceptable. We must all work together to isolate racists and report these incidences to law enforcement,” Tweeted Mthethwa.
The racist video which shows a man allegedly identified as Adam Catzavelos using the K word is absolutely unacceptable & has no place in our society. We must all work together to isolate racists & report these incidences to law enforcement agencies so they can be held accountable
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 21, 2018
The Economic Freedom Fighters have opened a case against him with the police.
The Democratic Alliance said in a statement that “those who espouse his views have no place in a united South Africa”.
“The likes of Catzavelos undermine the project of nation-building and reconciliation,” added Luyolo Mphithi, the DA youth leader.
Nedbank, one of South Africa’s largest banks, distanced itself from Catzavelos after it emerged that he had participated in a business development programmes sponsored by the bank in 2014.
“Nedbank… strongly condemn all forms of racism,” said the bank in a statement.
Meanwhile some companies have terminated their contracts with St George’s Fine Food, the family business which Catzavelos is a shareholder at. The Baron and Butcher Boys have condemned Catzavelos’ behaviour and terminated their contracts with his company. St George’s Fine Foods has also dismissed Adam Catzavelos with immediate effect from the family business.
[COMING UP] We speak to Director @butcherboysSA Derick Meyers who says their franchise will NOT continue working with George’s Fine Foods where #AdamCatzavelos is a share holder.#UpdateAtNoon #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/r9Qiklgmw7
— #UpdateAtNoon 104-107fm ? (@UpdateAtNoon) August 22, 2018
Good. Racism must have consequences. Like this ?#AdamCatzavelos pic.twitter.com/XPWdcw6Y6K
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) August 22, 2018
Additional reporting by SABC.
DISCLAIMER: THE BELOW VIDEO CONTAINS OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
