Woolworths backlash over mannequins
JOBURG – Woolworths removes mannequins wearing ropes like slaves.
Woolworths has apologised to its customers after receiving criticism for draping ropes over black mannequins at one of its stores.
Social media platforms saw an uproar over a picture that was shared, showing black mannequins in a Woolworths store with ropes draped over their shoulders and hands, resembling the way slaves were chained.
Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha expressed his outrage on the Woolworths SA Facebook page and said that he had a problem with the display of the black dolls wearing Woolworths clothes with a rope on them. “This depicts slavery and such display of this 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 as black customers and anyone who is a victim of slavery,” his post on Facebook read.
The Woolworths’ Press Office responded to the complaint and said that the mannequins that were used in their displays are made from recycled materials, explaining that that is why they were naturally grey in colour adding that they did not represent a particular race.
“We would like to apologise for the distress caused by the incorrectly assembled RE: in-store installation. The ropes are in fact supposed to support Christmas baubles and unfortunately the store installation team have used the ropes incorrectly. The offending display has been rectified.” the Woolworths’ statement concluded.
