Nike closes South African stores after racist video goes viral

[Nergal]

 

SEVERAL Nike stores in South Africa have temporarily closed following a businessman’s racist video posted online in which he says the K-word.

The video shows Adam Catzavelos wearing a straw hat and sunglasses talking to the camera on a sunny beach.

“Let me give you a weather forecast,” he says.

“Blue skies, beautiful day, amazing sea and not one k----r in sight,” he said.

“F-----g heaven on earth. You cannot beat this.”

The K-word is a derogatory term historically directed at black Africans.

Nike came under fire following the circulation of the viral video after it was revealed Catzavelos’ wife is a merchandising director for the sports retail giant.

“Nike opposes discrimination and has a long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect,” Nike said in a statement provided to South African online news outlet Times Live.

“We believe in the power of human potential in everyone - of every race, religion, nationality, gender and sexual orientation.”

Catzavelos has since been dismissed from his family business St George’s Fine Foods.

Despite distancing themselves from Catzavelos’ remarks, the food supply company has also lost several clients as a result of the video.

The man could face charges after a tweet by a South African government official called for the video to be reported to police.

“The racist video which shows a man allegedly identified as Adam Catzavelos using the ‘K-word’ is absolutely unacceptable,” wrote Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

“We must all work together to isolate racists and report these incidences to law enforcement.”