Chicken Licken, Nando's
Youtube
  • Fast-food chains Chicken Licken and Nando's have both released TV adverts with political messages. 
  • Nando's highlights South Africans' biases, while Chicken Licken gives colonialism a whole new spin. 
  • We were completely split when it came to picking a favourite.

Fast-food chains Nando's and Chicken Licken have both released new TV adverts that will make you see South Africa in a different way.

The Nando's advert pokes fun at stereotypes and biases among South Africans. It features people's indignation at being stereotyped - but then show that they, too, have biases. Throughout the ad, the indignant start their rants with the phrase "You people". 

"It is a phrase that goes hand-in-hand with an unconscious bias," says Doug Place, Nando's marketing manager.

"We are all guilty of this, some more than others," he says


Meanwhile, Chicken Licken's new advert tells the story of 'Big John' who leaves South Africa in 1650 on an adventurous quest.

He travels across the world, encountering all sorts of challenges, including sharks and giant squids.

Chicken Licken, Nando's
Youtube

Eventually, in 1651, he arrives at a Dutch port, and much to the astonishment of the locals decide to colonise the country.

Chicken Licken, Nando's
Youtube


Which one is better? 

Both ads are funny and though-provoking.

The Chicken Licken ad provides a blistering take on colonialism, while Nando's forces you to examine your own biases. 

Chicken Licken and Nando's have, over the years, been careful to steer clear of malice in their lampooning of South Africans - but they've always manage to spark conversations and force South Africans to think out of the box.

For us, both adverts have done just that, making it hard for us to pick a favourite. In fact our office was split down the middle.

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