For those wondering just how Adam Catzavelos would respond to South Africa’s uproar regarding his racist viral video, you now have your answer.
“I have caused unspeakable pain to every single person in South Africa,” began the first official statement made by Catzavelos after said video was published to Twitter on Tuesday.
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The video depicts Catzavelos using a racial slur on a beach while delivering a weather report. Not “one k***** in sight”, he notes in the video.
The clip and the resultant anger became one of South Africa’s biggest stories on Wednesday, spawning a new meme, and prompting the likes of the EFF to press charges.
In the statement, which was obtained by multiple news outlets late Thursday, Catzavelos admits that he was “thoughtless and insensitive and [showed] a complete lack of understanding” for South Africa’s past struggles.
#AdamCatzavelos has issued a statement following his racist video. Jacaranda FM has confirmed that he himself issued the statement, that includes his apology for the “unspeakable pain” his video has caused. pic.twitter.com/WFYUYC38lq
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) August 24, 2018
“I have watched my video and feel total shame,” he adds.
“It is hard to put into words what I want to say and genuinely apologize. I don’t expect people to forgive me, but I will spend the rest of my life repenting and trying to make up for my total lack of respect and judgement.”
Catzavelos: ‘I have caused unspeakable pain to every single person in South Africa’
He also called for his comments to not be seen as a “reflection of others”.
“I love South Africa and am proud to have lived in such a beautiful and diverse country,” he continues.
“So many people have put their love and time into healing South Africa and people like me saying and doing stupid things make it difficult for South Africa to progress.”
“I can only hope that one of the positive outcomes of this are the united voices that have come together against my comments.”
He uses the final two paragraphs to apologize “unreservedly for the hurt and harm caused”.
“To my family, my mom, dad wife, brother and sisters and my children who mean the world to me, I am so, so sorry,” the statement concludes.
Twitter responds to Adam Catzavelos’ apology
Social media however isn’t quite buying his statement, calling it “hollow” and noting he doesn’t admit he was using racial slurs in his video.
“This apology from #AdamCatzavelos rings hollow. No clear admission that his speech was racist and that he is a racist. Mxm,” tweeted author and radio anchor Eusebius McKaiser.
This apology from #AdamCatzavelos rings hollow.
No clear admission that his speech was racist and that he is a racist. Mxm. pic.twitter.com/TUEgAJMY8p
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) August 24, 2018
“‘I am sorry for getting caught’ is basically what this supposed apology says,” wrote another Twitter user.
#AdamCatzavelos – ” I am sorry for getting caught” is basically what this supposed apology says. He is not sorry for using this derogatory word he is sorry that we caught a case because he did. pic.twitter.com/Dw0Er0949T
— #AWOMANSPURPOSE2018
(@ZiziphoDyubeni) August 24, 2018
“You are not forgiven. Your apology is not accepted,” penned another.
#AdamCatzavelos You are not forgiven. Your apology is not accepted.
— Vader (@melusibiyela) August 24, 2018
H/T: JacarandaFM
This is a developing story…
Feature image: Feature image: screenshot, @fcfortune via Twitter
