Billionaire Branson forced to pull down white only SA photo after online uproar
British billionaire Richard Branson was forced to pull down a tweet and apologize after posting a photograph about South Africa that had only white people.
He came under fire with Twitter users wondering why his photo only had white people yet he was in an African country.
Branson had tweeted: “Wonderful to be in South Africa to help launch the new Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship. We aim to become the heart of entrepreneurship for Southern Africa.”
His post set social media abuzz with one Thula Sindi posing: “Where did you find so many white people in South Africa??? That must have really taken an honest effort for exclude the majority of the population which is just as skilled and talented. Wow. Incredible.”
Another Twitter user, SiceloNkosi, added: “Race advocates, I’m on your side but think you got this one wrong. Please open the link before you comment. This is one of many pictures, most of which are diverse.”
“With all due respect Mr Branson, we are inspired by what you doing in SA but we are very disappointed with the hierarchy of your centre, it does not lack diversity only, but it also lacks blacks in TOP positions.. from the looks of it,” Vuci Mnisi said.
The criticism on social media over Branson’s tweet forced him to pull down the photo and later issue an apology.
“”We apologise for the poorly chosen image, but would like to emphasise that this does not reflect the diverse make-up of attendees,” the spokesperson for Branson’s Virgin Group told the BBC.
You're 'apologising' for a picture choice…when the fundamental issue is the evident lack of representation that the picture simply laid bare.
Picture or no picture, the issue remains.
We don't need blog posts, we need evidence of transformative engagement & active inclusion.
Ta. https://t.co/jP6XYSedoA
— Ottilia Anna MaSibanda (@MaS1banda) November 12, 2019
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