Mercedez-Benz received backlash after posting its Mother’s Day video message at the weekend. The advert, which was meant to appeal to “all moms”, was retracted after South Africans questioned why the advert did not represent its demographics.
The luxury vehicle manufacturer said it was created internationally to celebrate Mother’s Day.
“We under-represented the diversity of our followers in South Africa through the use of a single character. We apologise for offending our South African followers,” the company said on Twitter.
In the video, the car manufacturer shows a woman taking on different roles – a mother, a fashionista and businesswoman – with the intention of applauding the different aspects of being a woman.
Mercedes-Benz found itself in hot water after some Twitter users pointed out the advert did not include a black mother.
There seemed to be mixed emotions about the advert, with some saying the advert was misunderstood.
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