Outrage over Woolworths’ menswear window display
Claims that models, rope depict slavery
AFURORE has erupted on social media over a Woolworths window display which showed black mannequins tied together with a rope.
A picture of the display on social media caught the attention of East London resident Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha who lodged an objection with Woolworths, saying the display was a depiction of slavery.
The display consists of six mannequins joined by a rope securely fastened to their wrists and was meant to show off the store’s range of men’s jeans.
It was not clear late yesterday at which store the picture was taken.
Sicwetsha posted the image on the retail giant’s Facebook page titled Woolworths SA, calling it a depiction of slavery.
“I have a problem with the display of black dolls wearing your clothes with a rope on them in your stores.
“This depicts slavery and such a display in your shop suggests you promote such barbaric acts against humanity.
“Please remove this rope on these black dolls with immediate effect. This is insulting us black customers and anyone who is a victim of slavery. I have attached this picture here for you to see.”
Woolworths moved quickly to apologise for the display following Sicwetsha’s initial complaint on social media and said what Sicwetsha had seen was an “incomplete Christmas display”.
Contacted for comment, Sicwetsha said he had seen the picture on a friend’s Facebook page and had been disturbed by the image.
“It’s good that when people see something they don’t like they engage the relevant institution and that the institution takes heed of those complaints and takes the necessary action,” he said.
“Companies should learn from this and start being conscious of their markets and the people they serve.”
In a follow-up media statement yesterday, the retailer apologised for any distress caused by the incorrectly assembled display.
“At the start of any campaign, our stores are taken through the creative direction for installations with a full implementation manual as well as model store set up.
“The denim department’s festive season installation is supposed to hold Christmas baubles suspended off ropes, being supported by the mannequins.
“One store implemented the installation incorrectly as they have used the incorrect rope without the Christmas baubles,” the statement reads.
“As soon as we became aware of the error yesterday afternoon, we contacted the relevant team to ensure that the offending display was rectified. The display has been removed.”
The display caused a public outcry from black consumers around the country.
Many took to social networks to air their displeasure at the matter.
By 4pm yesterday, the Facebook post had already received 3 353 likes and 1 272 comments (see sidebar).
Sicwetsha’s comments regarding the “offensive” display had also gone viral on Twitter.
Parody site Woolworst SA even joined in saying: “The lowly paid black shop assistant who put ropes on the mannequins will be fired.” —