The First National Bank (FNB) has apologized for controversial adverts that take the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to task, the party said.Sizwe Nxasana, CEO of FirstRand, parent company of FNB, “agreed that the research clippings that were posted online were regrettable, he apologized for the posting of the research clippings online,” the ANC said in a statement“The ANC, led by Secretary General Gwede Mantashe, accepted the apology and the show of regret by FNB,” the party said.Nxasana also assured that “this regrettable incident will not be repeated,” the ANC said.The FNB, a major commercial bank in South Africa, launched adverts earlier this week as part of the You Can Help Campaign designed to mobilize the society to resolve “the challenges” facing South Africa. The adverts that have been broadcast on TV, YouTube and other social media platforms show school kids lamenting South Africa’s socio-economic plights such as unemployment, inequality and poor education.The adverts have drawn strong reaction from the ANC which described the video as an attack on South Africa’s democracy, the ruling party itself, its alliance and the government.Agencies
