Soft drink company Appletiser has apologised for causing a froth with an advert some perceived as a “blonde moment” and racist.
“Sincere apologies for offending anyone with our reference to brunettes & blue eyes, it certainly was not the intention #proudlysouthafrican,” it tweeted on Sunday.
This was in response to the company posting an advert on Wednesday, May 27 with a white and a black woman, smiling and cosying up to one another, accompanied by the caption: “Every brunette needs a blonde best friend. Tag your bestie in a comment below for #WomanCrushWednesday”.
Every brunette needs a blonde best friend. Retweet if you couldn’t live without your bestie! #WomanCrushWednesdaypic.twitter.com/mcQMPGEioe
— Appletiser ZA (@AppletiserZA) May 27, 2015
The words “Hey there blue eyes” have been printed on some of its bottles.
Some Twitter users questioned whether a black woman could be referred to as a brunette, and took offence that the impression was created that blacks needed a white friend to gain approval.