A Cape Town man was “flabbergasted” when a “profane and vulgar” rendition of the national anthem was played at full blast over the music system at a KFC outlet, a report has said.
According to the Cape Times, Tariq Mellett was on his way to the airport when he stopped to buy a burger at the KFC’s Buitenkant Street branch in Gardens.
“While I was waiting in line, a song started playing over the music system in the shop. It sounded like parts of the national anthem, but I was surprised when the song started in Afrikaans with: Nkosi Sikelel’… Nkosi is ‘n d***, Mandela is ‘n f***** k*****… and so on, at full blast,” he told the Cape Times.
Mellet said: “Two other customers and I were flabbergasted by the vulgarity, profanity and racism being belted out in a popular family restaurant.
“We shouted at the staff to put the music off, but this was only done after some time.
“I was in a rush to catch my flight, but I managed to contact the KFC manager to report the incident.
“They had a policy about music as it should be in the interest of the brand.”
Mellet told the Cape Times that as a South African, he felt “insulted” by the profane language used to mock the national anthem. “This was a clear indication of the kind of racism that is rampant in the city, which could threaten our relations and tourism industry,” he said.
KFC said it would investigate, the report said.
According to the Cape Times, store manager Malika Isaacs refused to comment and referred queries to Craig Davids, KFC’s operational manager in the Western Cape.
Davids said the query had been referred to Yum Restaurants, KFC’s franchisor.
Calls made to Yum Restaurants went unanswered, the report said.
- IOL