WATCH | Coconut Kelz pokes fun at Clicks' hair controversy

07 September 2020 - 10:00 By Unathi Nkanjeni
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Coconut Kelz says it's not Clicks' fault that black hair is 'frizzy, dull, dry and damaged'.
Coconut Kelz says it's not Clicks' fault that black hair is 'frizzy, dull, dry and damaged'.
Image: Twitter/Coconut Kelz

Satirist Coconut Kelz is back, and this time she is poking fun at Clicks as scores of South Africans lambaste the retailer for its since-deleted “racist” ad.

Over the weekend, the retail group received a massive backlash after posting images which most viewed as discrimination against natural black hair.

The advert on the company's website labelled African hair as “dry” and “damaged”, while an example of blonde hair was described as “fine” and “flat”.


LISTEN | Celebs weigh in on 'racist' Clicks ad campaign and ensuing protests


On social media, many were outraged, calling the ad offensive and racist. The retailer has apologised.

“We have made a mistake and sincerely apologise for letting you down. We recognise we have a role to play in creating a more diverse and inclusive SA, starting with our website content. We know we need to do better, and commit to ensuring our content better reflects this value,” said Clicks.

“We have removed the images which go against everything we believe in. We do not condone racism and we are strong advocates of natural hair. We are deeply sorry and will put in place stricter measures on our website.”

Taking to Twitter, Kelz addressed Clicks' “innocence”, saying it is not the retailer's fault that black hair is “frizzy, dull, dry and damaged”.

She also took a subtle swipe at TV personality Minnie Dlamini's statement about Bantu knots being “ghetto”.

Watch the video below:

Members of the EFF, led by deputy president Floyd Shivambu, protested outside the Clicks retail store in Sandton City as part of a nationwide protest on September 7 2020. This comes after the retail group released a TRESemmé advert on its website that has been condemned by the EFF as racist. Meanwhile, police are investigating several incidents across the country where stores were vandalised.


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