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Racist ranter Adam Catzavelos stays in Greece

Adam Catzavelos, 39, has no "immediate plans" to return to South Africa.

This was according to his father, George Catzavelos, who this week spoke to City Press' sister publication, Rapport, about the viral video in which his son expressed his joy that there was not a "single k****r in sight" on a beach in Greece, where he was on vacation.

"All I can say is that the whole storm has changed our families' lives for the worse, in a blink of an eye. All of a sudden, we are all lepers. Nobody wants to be associated with us, and our family business is ruined. We had to permanently close our doors."

Following Catzavelos' racist remarks, made as part of a video he posted of himself on a beach in Greece using the k-word, the Catzavelos family business, St George's Fine Foods, saw a number of companies they work with terminate their contracts.

Employees at St George's Fine Foods issued a press statement on Friday in which they begged the restaurants that had terminated their contracts with the family business to reconsider their decision.

Business closed

Another of the family's businesses, The Smokehouse and Grill, situated in Braamfontein, closed for business. This worked in the favour of neighbouring restaurant as they experienced an instant boom in their businesses.

Tlhompho Mokoena, owner of The Wing Republic – a pop-up restaurant on the same street as Smokehouse – said: "I don't want to lie, but this past Wednesday has been the busiest Wednesday we have had in a few months."

Nic Mavro, the jolly and excited owner of Metanoia, a mixed-Mediterranean restaurant, said they had experienced an influx of customers this week.

Mavro added that they were hoping to hire two more staff to join their team.

"We are a team of six, and last night we got so busy that we started serving customers complimentary drinks while they waited for their meals. So yes, we are looking at taking more guys. I don't know the owners [of Smokehouse] but I would usually interact with their staff, who would come here after their shift. They are really great guys," said Mavro.

But some employees might not be lucky. According to their statement, they are financially dependent on the family business and they are now being punished for Adam's conduct.

They say that George and Nick, Adam's brother, are not racist and have always treated their employees like family.

The employees said it would be a major scandal if the business had to close as a result of a single person's conduct.

Catzavelos also issued a statement on Friday in which he apologised for his "unfortunate video".

READ: Adam Catzavelos issues apology over k-word video, vows to repent for the rest of his life

He said that he loves South Africa and is "proud to have lived in such a beautiful and diverse country".

"I don't expect people to forgive me, but will spend the rest of my life repenting and trying to make up for my total lack of respect and judgement.

"I have been thoughtless and insensitive and shown a complete lack of understanding of what the people in our nation have endured. I have insulted so many people. I am not proud."

Catzavelos also apologised to his family – his parents, his wife and his children. In a letter sent to parents on Tuesday, the school that Catzavelos' son attends said they would not tolerate racism of any sort and that Catzavelos was not welcome at the school.

His brother, Nick, said in a press statement, released on behalf of the family business, that the video was "offensive", and he distanced the family from his brother's comments. He said Adam had been summarily dismissed.

On Wednesday, the Economic Freedom Fighters laid a criminal charge of racism against Catzavelos at the Bramley Police Station in Johannesburg and on Friday marched on his home in Edenvale. The Human Rights Commission has also said it will investigate the matter.

READ: 'The police must chase him and find him – EFF opens criminal case against k-word holidaymaker


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