Throwback Nando’s Advert Gets South Africans Talking: “They Would Get Cancelled Now”

• A TikTok user shared a 2017 Nando's advert that talked about a topic that can often go the controversial route
• Nando's is known for its adverts that tiptoe on the lines of controversy, and this advert was no different
• Social media users noted that the company would be cancelled in today's times, while others didn't understand what happened in the video

An old video Nando's shared on its YouTube channel in 2017 made its way back onto people's screens. Titled Mix it Up, the advert left many social media users thinking about the past and how Nando's would never be able to get away with such jokes in the present.

On 16 September, 2025, TikTok user @girl.kaybee took to her account to share the clip. The advert starts with a brunette woman on the phone at the restaurant, sharing with the person on the end of the line that she wasn't a fan of 'mixed race' couples. Turns out, the woman was referring to a triathlon.

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The play on words meant to promote Nando's four meals that customers could mix up for R45.

Nando's advert sparks conversations

While the advert went over a few people's heads, other local social media users reminisced about the prices, which are now deemed affordable. Other people in the comment section shared how the chicken restaurant's humour was always top-tier.

After watching the clip, @lala395175 told the online community:

"They would get cancelled now."

@skelletonqueen1 stated under the post:

"Unfortunately, nowadays, people wouldn't even get to the end of the advert. Just straight up cancel everything. These ads had such humour."

@tmipbo55 mentioned in the comment section:

"I have never seen this before, but that was confusing for a second. Well done again to Nando’s."

@chefyaseenmowzer critiqued the food with laughter:

"Shame, they don’t even have proper flavours, hot and extra hot chicken is the same thing. They just add extra sauce, it’s not stronger."

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@bbonginkosi.khumalo shared with the public:

"They were ahead of the game. She's even named Karen."

@limnandi01 said to people in the comments:

"Whoever was behind Nando's and Chicken Licken's advertisements have jokes for decades. Premium humour."

@buk_magingxa wasn't here for the joke and wrote:

"Yeah. Glad they stopped. Racism isn’t funny."

Take a look at the throwback advert in the TikTok video below:

3 Other stories about Nando's

• In another article, Briefly News reported that after the cheating scandal at the Coldplay concert went viral, Nando's created a poster hinting at the alleged affair.
• A South African man shared his comical experience at the restaurant in Dubai, where he was shocked by the meal prices when converted to rands. The amount he needed to pay for a full chicken left him feeling crushed.
• A tourist from the United Kingdom visited South Africa and gave his honest review of the restaurant's food. The young man and his companion's meals stunned local online community members, who shared better menu optionss.

Source: Briefly News