Branson speaks out on racism complaints
Published
Virgin Group head Richard Branson Virgin Group head Richard Branson
Founder and CEO of the Virgin group Richard Branson said they were taking the complaints of racism “extremely seriously”.
Branson commented on the issue on Virgin Active SA's Facebook page, News24 reported on Tuesday.
“We do not condone any form of discrimination at Virgin - especially racism,” he said.
Branson’s statement comes after after two separate incidents of alleged racism at Virgin Active gyms in Gauteng came to light this week.
On Tuesday, IOL reported that Lesley Mofokeng laid a criminal charge after he was insulted at Sunninghill Virgin Active, in northern Johannesburg.
A fellow gym member allegedly called Mofokeng a “boy” and accused him of “hogging the equipment”.
Mofokeng said: “The guy came and started shouting and said, ‘You black guys take everything. We know this is your f***ing country, but you do not have to control everything.’ ”
The Star newspaper reported on Monday that a patron of Virgin Active Morningside, in Sandton, was racially insulted by another patron during a spinning class on December 31.
Liz Hleza said the man appeared enraged because she shouted “yebo” in her enthusiasm for the music and the exercise.
“I was so scared and thought he was going to hit me, he was very angry. He said I should keep quiet and kept saying this bloody k*****, you k*****,” Hleza said.
After the class, Hleza went to the manager on duty to complain but told The Star she was not happy about the way the management handled the situation.
Virgin Active reportedly issued a final warning letter to the member and he apologised to Hleza.
Hleza accepted the apology, however, she said she wanted her story to be told “because… there are still people like that out there”.
After the story was published by The Star and IOL on Monday, Virgin Active members reacted angrily on on social networks, calling for the company to “do the right thing”.
Virgin Active re-opened the investigation into the incident following the outcry on Twitter and Facebook.
On Tuesday,
managing director Ross Faragher-Thomas said in a statement: “I have taken personal responsibility to review the facts and whether any further course of action is required.
“I am satisfied that Virgin Active SA dealt with the incident as expeditiously as possible, also recognising the seriousness of the altercation and the priority it deserved,”
Faragher-Thomas said Virgin Active assigned four staff members to look into the complaints. The general manager was also involved in efforts to resolve the altercations.
The incident at the Morningside gym was being re-investigated and he had spoken personally to Mofokeng about his experience.
“We always take appropriate action in the event of any member misconduct.”
He said members had been suspended in the past for inappropriate conduct, and that the company had a zero tolerance approach to discrimination by its members. - Sapa, IOL