Virgin Active Health Clubs founder Sir Richard Branson… under fire for Mandela post

Virgin Active Australia has come under fire for a Facebook post that mourns Nelson Mandela’s passing and noting his pivotal role in helping the brand expand in South Africa.

Some defend the brand for its page post, but others have suggested that the comment and its timing is insensitive.

The post is based on comments made by Sir Richard Branson on the BBC’s flagship news analysis programme, Newsnight, and also on Virgin’s own site, where Branson pays tribute to Mandela. Branson states that he opened the business in South Africa because Mandela asked him to buy out a struggling fitness chain in order to safeguard jobs