A top South African businessman is the most hated man on Twitter and has been fired by his own family, after sharing a racist K-word video while on an overseas beach holiday.
In the 21-second video, which went viral on Tuesday night, Adam Catzavelos, wearing sunglasses, gives a weather report from a beach in Greece.
These are Adam Catzavelos' customers: https://t.co/LOlFPReaGZ
If they don't end their relationship with St Georges fine foods, we don't set foot at their establishments #AdamCatzavelos pic.twitter.com/j0Wp7AlPxw
— khotso namane maleke (@khotso_maleke) August 21, 2018
He boasts: “Let me give you a weather forecast here; blue skies, beautiful day, amazing sea and not one k@ff!r in sight. F***ing heaven on earth.”
Big mistake and now Catzavelos, his family, his wife - and even Nike - are paying for it.
His family, who owns St George’s Fine Foods, said Wednesday the company had fired him as their marketing director and shut down temporarily.
A letter from our CEO regarding #AdamCatzavelos. We can state that our new supplier of sauces is Ocean’s Best Trading. pic.twitter.com/X89ecYdDBm
— OPEN Food Group (@OpenFoodSA) August 22, 2018
In a statement, brother Nic Catzavelos expressed the family’s disgust, saying: “It is abhorrent and we fully disassociate ourselves from the sentiments expressed. We reject racism in any form.
“Adam has been dismissed with immediate effect from the family business, St George’s Fine Foods and his minority shareholding will be unwound as soon as practically possible.
“Given the high-profile nature of this development, the business has been temporarily closed for the protection of all its staff. We have no further comment at this stage.”
A number of the company’s clients, including The Butcher Shop and The Baron Group, and restaurant chains Braza and Rib Zone, have reportedly cut ties with St George’s Fine Foods.
On Twitter, there was a further backlash at Nike, after it emerged that Catzavelos is married to Kelly Catzavelos a merchandising director at the sports gear company.
The company issued this statement: “Nike opposes discrimination and has a long-standing commitment to diversity inclusion and respect. We believe in the power of human potential in everyone - of every race religion nationality gender and sexual orientation.”
However, after calls to boycott Nike on Twitter, it was reported two of their branches in a mall in Sandton, Johannesburg, were closed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the EFF made a case against Catzavelos at the Bramley Police Station, north of Joburg, on Wednesday.
Catzavelos was once profiled on Radio 702 and Nedbank’s Business Accelerator Programme.
The station and the bank have now also distanced themselves from him, and condemned his racist rant.
He has also been banned from entering his kids' school premises on Wednesday.
Big ups to St John’s College for taking a stance against Adam whilst protecting the interests of the kids.
Adam is a persona non grata at the College pic.twitter.com/j26HKmFtI5
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) August 22, 2018
Catzavelos has not been available for comment and it is not known whether he is back in South Africa.