Glenlivet whisky faces backlash over apartheid-era march imagery

A whisky advertisement by Glenlivet, owned by the French group Pernod-Ricard, has sparked significant controversy in South Africa for its perceived exploitation of the 1956 Women's March. The black-and-white commercial featured an actress toasting in front of portraits of the women who led the historic protest against apartheid laws, and included the voice of Winnie Mandela.

Critics and the African National Congress (ANC) have condemned the campaign, stating that the courageous women of the march should not be used as mere marketing symbols. The controversy is heightened by the historical fact that the apartheid regime used alcohol restrictions as a tool of control over Black and Coloured populations. Additionally, Sophie De Bruyn, a survivor of the march who appears in the clip, stated she never authorized the use of her image.

Glenlivet has since issued an apology and withdrawn the video, though affected families are seeking further explanations regarding the campaign's development.