Woolworths reacts to ‘racist practises’ allegations

Retailer Woolworths is facing a potential boycott after it was accused of 'discriminating' against white South Africans via its BEE policies.

Apr 2, 2025 - 18:00
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Woolworths reacts to ‘racist practises’ allegations

Woolworths is facing another firestorm and possible boycott after an X user accused the retailer of not assisting “white homeless people” based on their BEE policies.

WOOLWORTHS ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING ‘RACIAL SYSTEMS’

On the X account, a user @Saxon_African – who describes herself as a “nationalist” – called out Woolworths over allegations that the retailer had shunned donating its end-of-life food stuff to white South Africans based on their race.

Describing the food donation agreement, the tweep posted: “You have to sign a contract ensuring that it’s not given to white homeless people because of their BEE regulations. 

She added: “I don’t believe that it should be just government officials getting sanctioned for this. Larger corporates supporting such racist systems deserve sanctions, too.”

The tweep was referring to Woolworths’s agreement with FoodForward SA, a non-profit company that donates its edible, surplus food to underprivileged communities.

Woolworths responded to the claim about the X post: “This account appears to be spreading misinformation with malicious intent.  

“They have blocked us from responding to the tweet. But we can categorically state that the below is fake news.  All of the info in the below tweet is untrue.”

BEE LEGISLATURE 

Despite Woolworths’s response, @saxon_africa stated that Woolworths’s deal with FoodForward SA was subjected to the latter’s distribution, which requires it to be BEE compliant.

In another tweet, the tweep posted a screenshot of the NPC’s BEE certificate. In it, the company stated that it had over 90% in a black beneficiary base.

A third tweet was a screenshot of an article in which a Pretoria orphanage told the media that donors had pulled out from funding as over 70% of the children were white.

The South African has reached out to Woolworths for comment.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WOOLWORTHS’S AGREEMENT OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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