The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Nike stores in South Africa were all open on Friday, the company said, after some were closed following a backlash over racist comments by a man said to have links to the US sportswear company.
Some stores were closed on Wednesday after the comments, in a video posted online, caused a public outcry. Nike was not mentioned in the video but Times Live online news service said the man in the video was married to a merchandising director at Nike.
Nike said the man was not an employee of the company.
In the video, taken at a beach resort, a white man with a South African accent says: "And not one kaffir in sight. Fucking heaven on earth."
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The "K word" as it is known in South Africa is apartheid-era slang for a black person and is regarded as a deeply offensive slur on a par with the "N word" in America.
Nike, in a statement on Wednesday, had reiterated its "long-standing commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect."
South Africa remains deeply scarred by its apartheid and colonial past, with the racial reconciliation embraced by the late president Nelson Mandela frequently marred by racist incidents.
By Patricia Aruo and Tiisetso Motsoeneng; editor: Susan Fenton.
From analysis of the global fashion and beauty industries to career and personal advice, BoF’s founder and CEO, Imran Amed, will be answering your questions on Sunday, February 18, 2024 during London Fashion Week.
The State of Fashion 2024 breaks down the 10 themes that will define the industry in the year ahead.
Imran Amed reviews the most important fashion stories of the year and shares his predictions on what this means for the industry in 2024.
After three days of inspiring talks, guests closed out BoF’s gathering for big thinkers with a black tie gala followed by an intimate performance from Rita Ora — guest starring Billy Porter.