'F*** these guys!' Africa Padel club threatened with boycotts over Hersov comments

• Africa Padel is facing boycott threats following recent remarks by its chairperson, Robert Hersov.
• In a viral post on social media, Hersov can be seen directing expletives at people carrying Palestinian flags.  
• Africa Padel has distanced itself from Hersov's comments. 
• For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.

South Africa's largest padel club group, Africa Padel, has been threatened by boycotts following controversial remarks by its chairperson Robert Hersov amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. 

In the video, widely circulated on social media over the weekend, Hersov is seen at a gathering with other Israeli supporters. He then allegedly motions to the group of people carrying Palestinian flags behind him and says: "Fuck these guys!"

While it is not clear where the gathering was, an Israeli prayer meeting was meant to be held at the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town on Sunday. The meeting, however, was cancelled due to "safety reasons" after increased tensions between groups led to the deployment of stun grenades and water cannons by police. 

READ | WATCH | Clash of the supporters: Pro-Israel event marred by stun grenades, arrests during clashes

The video prompted criticism from social media users and pro-Palestinian groups, who have been urging South Africans to boycott Africa Padel. #BoycottAfricaPadel has also circulated on social media platforms as users have canceled their bookings at clubs.

Padel is a popular new sport, which is a mix of tennis and squash and is played in an enclosed court.

Hersov is one of the eight associates of Africa Padel's founder and Swedish businessman, Philippe Kjellgren, who invested more than R50 million to fund the business' launch two years ago. 

There are now 14 Africa Padel clubs countrywide, which host 62 courts. The company says more than 45 000 players play at its courts and claims to hold 31% of the current market share.

Civil organisation, the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA), has announced a nationwide picket at various clubs in Sandton, Camps Bay, Roodepoort, and Durban.

PSA Youth League coordinator, Altaaf Adams, said Hersov's comments were a "call to action". He said the ongoing boycott and Saturday's picket is to raise awareness of the ongoing oppression Palestinian people and to demand clarification from Africa Padel on its stance regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict. 

Africa Padel has distanced itself from the chairperson's comments in response to the ongoing social media uproar. 

A statement on its Instagram account told clients they "remain neutral on political matters" and "any personal opinions expressed by people associated with Africa Padel are their own and not representative of the company".

"We understand the concerns raised and want to assure you that Africa Padel is committed to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated," they said. 

The coordinator for the South African Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) coalition, Roshan Badoo, said: "Many people in South Africa should not give lots of money to a company [whose representative] is criticising peaceful protest and supporting gross genocide committed by Israel."

Badoo claimed that there have been several cancelled bookings from Africa Padel customers. 

"[As an organisation,] we have been calling for a targeted boycott from complicit companies who have supported Israel since Palestine did so in 2005 [...] We want to boycott until the company can publicly say they do not support Israel," she said.

The current bloodshed in Gaza was triggered by Hamas' attack on Israel last month, which killed 1 200 people. Israel responded by launching military attacks on the territory. More than 11 100 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the attacks started, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. 

Hersov is a mining heir whose family owned AngloVaal. He has made headlines over his failed attempt to buy six regional airports last year. He is also involved in plans to develop a small airfield near the northern suburbs of Cape Town into an airport hub.

Last year, a Russian-born Lithuanian actor admitted to making a false asylum claim to enter South Africa to attend a series of parties hosted by Hersov.

News24 contacted both Hersov and Africa Padel CEO, James Barber, for comment. They did not reply.