This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
On November 12, 2019, British billionaire Richard Branson sparked outrage on social media after posting a photo of a gathering in South Africa that featured only white people.
The photo was part of a tweet announcing the launch of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in Southern Africa.
However, Twitter users quickly pointed out the lack of diversity in the photo, with many questioning how Branson's team could have missed the opportunity to showcase a more representative group of people.
Thula Sindi, a Twitter user, responded to Branson's tweet by asking, 'Where did you find so many white people in South Africa??? That must have really taken an honest effort for exclude the majority of the population which is just as skilled and talented.'
Branson's team later apologized for the poorly chosen image, stating that it did not reflect the diverse make-up of attendees.
However, critics argued that the issue was not just the photo, but the lack of representation in the first place.
As Ottilia Anna MaSibanda noted, 'You're 'apologising' for a picture choice…when the fundamental issue is the evident lack of representation that the picture simply laid bare.'
