from South Africa and abroad.. 

Registered titles

The logo displayed “City of Ekurhuleni”. The complainant submitted that there is no such place or city registered on the official data base of the Council of South African Geographical Names. 

Use of colours and flags

Curry's Electrical Stores features the national flag of the United Kingdom which was coloured using the Irish national flag's green, white and gold,  with the words “God Save a Fortune”. Complaint found a manipulation of UK flag with the Irish national colours. 

Cartoon character association with alcohol

The Guinness advertisement  featured a cartoon like character of a toucan with a pint of Guinness perched on its beak. The caption on the poster read “1789-2009 That's Guinness Time”.  Complaint found marketing should not feature or personalises characters that would have appeal to children and encourage them to drink.

Cultural insensitivity

Vodafone use of the caption “Reach out to everyone with free Vodafone call and text”, featured a cartoon depiction of a Native American pouring tea for a cowboy. Found an offensive reference to the way Native American ancestors had been treated by European colonialist settlers.

Misleading statement implied

A poster for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), stated “Meat Kills” with imposed smaller text stating” E.Coli, Mad Cow, Swine Flu, MRSA”. Complaint found the poster to be misleading as implied that swine flu could be caught by eating meat.