Racist Restaurant Manager
By Chris Williams
Pretoria –
A viral video showing a restaurant manager at a popular fast-food outlet in Menlo Park forcing uniformed staff to pull weeds outside the building has ignited widespread outrage, with many labelling the act as exploitative and racist.
The incident, captured on camera by a concerned passerby who confronted the manager, highlights deeper issues of worker mistreatment in South Africa’s service industry, where employees often face unfair demands beyond their job roles.
The footage, which quickly spread across social media, depicts kitchen staff and waiters on their knees in the dirt, clearing overgrown areas while dressed in their work uniforms.
Public backlash has been swift, with calls for accountability and better protection for low-wage workers who feel powerless to refuse such orders.
As the company responds with investigations and training, communities are demanding real change to prevent similar humiliations in the future.
The Viral Video and Confrontation
The disturbing scene unfolded at a well-known fast-food chain branch in Menlo Park, a bustling suburb in Pretoria.
In the video, several employees are seen outside the restaurant, pulling weeds and maintaining the exterior grounds under the manager’s instructions.
The workers, still in their kitchen uniforms, appear reluctant but comply, raising questions about whether they feared losing their jobs if they refused.
A local man who witnessed the activity stopped to challenge the manager, asking why the staff were being made to do gardening work that falls outside their contracts as waiters and cooks.
The confrontation, caught on camera, shows the manager defending the decision as part of general duties, but the passerby argues it violates labour laws and disrespects the employees.
“This is unacceptable,” the man says in the clip, echoing the feelings of many who viewed it online.
The video’s rapid spread led to thousands of shares and comments, with viewers pointing out the humiliation of making low-paid workers perform manual labour in public view.
Some highlighted the racial undertones, noting that the staff involved were predominantly black, while the manager’s actions were seen as demeaning and reminiscent of historical inequalities in South Africa.
Company’s Response and Internal Actions
In response to the growing fury, the fast-food chain issued a strong condemnation of the incident, calling it unacceptable and against their policies.
They confirmed that a formal notice was sent to the franchise owner, and the manager involved has been addressed directly.
To prevent future occurrences, the company has started retraining all managers at the branch on proper labour practices, role definitions, and employee rights.
Officials from the chain emphasised that staff contracts clearly outline duties related to food service and customer care, not maintenance tasks like gardening.
They apologised to the affected workers and the public, promising a full review to ensure such exploitation does not happen again.
This quick action aims to rebuild trust, but critics say it falls short without harsher penalties, like dismissal or fines, to deter similar behaviour.
The incident has also drawn attention from labour unions, who urge workers to report unfair treatment through official channels.
In South Africa, laws like the Basic Conditions of Employment Act protect employees from tasks outside their agreed roles, especially if it involves health risks or degradation.
Broader Issues of Worker Exploitation in the Service Industry
This event sheds light on widespread problems in South Africa’s restaurant sector, where low-wage staff often face extra demands without added pay.
Many workers, earning minimum wage, feel trapped by job scarcity and fear speaking out.
Similar cases have surfaced before, like employees forced to clean beyond their shifts or handle unrelated chores, leading to burnout and resentment.
Racial dynamics add another layer, with some viewing the manager’s orders as rooted in bias, treating black staff as disposable labour.
In a country still healing from apartheid, such acts reopen old wounds and spark debates on workplace equality.
Labour experts note that fast-food chains, with high turnover, must invest in fair practices to retain talent and avoid scandals that harm their brand.
Economic pressures play a role too. With rising costs for maintenance services, some managers cut corners by assigning extra tasks to staff, but this violates fair labour standards and can lead to legal action.
Unions call for stronger enforcement, including surprise inspections and whistleblower protections, to safeguard vulnerable workers.
Public Backlash and Calls for Change
Social media users have flooded platforms with comments, many demanding a boycott of the branch until real changes occur.
“This is modern-day slavery,” one commenter wrote, while others shared personal stories of similar mistreatment. The outcry has pressured the company to act, but it also highlights the power of viral videos in holding businesses accountable.
Community leaders in Pretoria have joined the chorus, urging better training on cultural sensitivity and employee rights. They suggest mandatory workshops for managers to understand the impact of their actions on staff morale and public image.
For the workers involved, support groups offer counselling, recognising the emotional toll of public humiliation.
As investigations continue, many hope this sparks wider reforms in the industry.
Stricter guidelines on job scopes, fair pay for extra work, and anti-discrimination policies could prevent repeats.
In the end, this fury over exploitation reminds everyone that respect for workers is key to a healthy society, turning a viral moment into a push for lasting fairness.
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