DA to report H&M advert

TUESDAY JANUARY 16 2018 THE DA said it would write to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to lodge an official complaint against the Swedish retail giant H&M for the racist advert involving a black child modelling a racially-insensitive hoodie.

A storm has erupted in South Africa over the online advert that H&M posted on its website last week depicting a black child wearing a green hoodie with “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” written on the front.

H&M quickly removed the advert and apologised following global outrage, including from celebrities who vowed to terminate their association with the retailer.

DA national spokesperson Refiloe Nt’sekhe said that the party was of the belief that H&M advert was in violation of the ICC’s marketing guidelines, especially its code of advertising and marketing communication practice, which deals with respect human for dignity and against racial discrimination.

“It is clear that H&M has violated the ICC’s code of advertising with their racially-discriminatory advert.

“We therefore request that the ICC, as the foremost retail authority, fully investigate this incident and institute appropriate sanctions once an investigation has been completed.”

Nt’sekhe said the DA will also write to H&M South Africa to express the party’s deep concern over the advert, saying that it evoked painful sentiments among black South Africans, as well as the black community abroad.