ANC CONDEMNS FNB ADVERTISEMENT

The African National Congress (ANC) is appalled by First National Bank (FNB) ‘advertisements' in which the ANC, its leadership and government, is under attack on an commercial masqueraded as youth views.

What is of concern to the ANC is that the advert content is undisguised political statement that makes random and untested accusations against our government in the name of discourse.

FNB must desist from using school kids to make political statements in a manner that is disrespectful to elders and that disregard sacrifices made in the 18 year of democratic government, to improving the living conditions of those who were on the receiving end of apartheid rule.

While we believe that people are entitled to their views, we don't accept that young kids should be used as proxies to articulate political views espoused as in the case of the FNB advertisement.

It is evident from the advert that the views presented in the advertisement engineered and doctored, as most of them are reading from a script as opposed to articulating their genuine views.  This behaviour by FNB does not assist the country to move forward because such advertisements will breed resentment of government and its programmes of development.

The ANC leadership will engage FNB management to seek a better understand of the advertisement and its intended objectives.  We believe that good corporate citizenry calls for responsible and accountable conduct on the side of the business. To hide behind innocent faces of young people will not assist in achieving cooperative national solutions.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, January 21 2013

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