Inside the ANC's war with FNB :: Mmegi Online

Firstrand CEO Sizwe Nxasana desperately tried to head off a showdown with the ANC over an advertising campaign by its subsidiary, FNB, featuring young South Africans criticising the government.

The Sunday Times can reveal that on Monday morning, just after the ANC Youth League issued a statement accusing FNB of "treason", Nxasana sent an SMS to Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.The minister had been called "brainless" by a youngster in one of the online clips.

In the SMS Nxasana wrote: "Good Morning Minister. I have instructed FNB to remove the video clips from their website this morning. I will investigate how and why the clips ended [up] on their website. Sincere apologies for this. Sizwe."Motshekga's spokesman, Panyaza Lesufi, confirmed that she had received the SMS but declined to comment further, referring queries to the ANC.

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