When an Old Ad Becomes New Conversation
Something funny about nostalgia is that what was once just clever now sometimes feels risky. That’s exactly what happened when a 2017 Nando’s advert surfaced again this week, and people online started saying it wouldn’t pass muster in today’s climate.
On 16 September 2025, TikTok user @girl.kaybee reshared Nando’s 2017 advert titled Mix It Up. The clip opens with a woman in a restaurant saying on the phone that she doesn’t like “mixed-race couples.” That line became the focal point of the debate, with viewers online split between finding the advert cheeky at the time or offensive by today’s standards. The advert was originally promoting a four-meal deal for about R45.
Social Media Weighs In
Immediately, the comments rolled in. Many users laughed, others winced, some defended the humour as harmless at the time, and others said today the ad would be cancelled before the end.
One person said, “They would get cancelled now.” Another reflected that people today might not even let the ad finish airing without calling out its content. Some people also said they had never seen this advert before; others praised it as funny for a split second but largely harmless in hindsight.
It wasn’t all humour though. There were comments like “Shame, they don’t even have proper flavours…” poking fun at the food rather than the ad’s content. And some said it’s good that adverts now are more sensitive.
Why This Moments Matters
In South Africa advertising has often walked a tight line. Nando’s itself is known for bold ads and for humour that sometimes courts controversy. What makes this throwback interesting is its test of how much society’s tolerance has shifted. What viewers maybe accepted or laughed with in 2017 might sound very different today.
When people say “cancelled,” they aren’t just talking about being upset. They’re talking about consequences. Could an advertiser face backlash now that didn’t exist then? A throwaway advert that once got laughs might now be judged more harshly in public forums, on social media, and by brand reputation experts.
@girl.kaybeeNando’s adverts were wild! 🤣😭😭😭♬ original sound – chun
A Fresh View on Ad History and Culture
Looking back at adverts like this gives us a mirror into changing values. It reminds us how humour, language, and what’s “acceptable” evolve. Also, brands like Nando’s often push the envelope; sometimes they win, sometimes they spark debate.
Another side of this is affordability. Several people commenting noted how the meals were priced at around R45 back then, remembering a time when prices were lower. That throwback adds flavour to the conversation, literally and figuratively.
The resurfaced advert didn’t break any new ground, but it cracked open a larger cultural question: where do we draw the line between clever humour and insensitive content?
Nando’s has pulled off cheeky adverts before, and people still remember them. But this one shows how what once flew under the radar now triggers more conversation.
What’s funny, what’s acceptable, and what’s offensive all shift over time. And this advert is a reminder that brands aren’t just selling chicken; they’re selling culture.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: LinkedIn/Graeme Buck
