Business
Viral video puts Steers in the spotlight over alleged worker exploitation
A short clip filmed on a South African street has pushed one of the country’s most recognisable fast food brands into the centre of a heated national conversation about labour and dignity at work.
The video, which has been widely shared on X, shows several men wearing Steers uniforms doing gardening and outdoor labour. When a passerby stops to ask why they are trimming bushes instead of working inside the restaurant, one of the workers replies quietly in Setswana, “Eish, Kuyitsi Modimo fela,” loosely translated as ‘Only God knows’. The moment feels heavy, and within hours, the clip had ignited outrage online.
What makes the footage especially unsettling is its ordinariness. There is no dramatic confrontation, no raised voices, just a simple question and an exhausted-sounding answer. For many viewers, that was enough.
How is this acceptable? @SteersSA pic.twitter.com/ihJSxZZJSM
— Papi (@football_papi) January 21, 2026
Social media anger and wider labour concerns
South Africans were quick to voice their anger, with many accusing Steers of exploiting workers by making them perform duties outside their job descriptions. One widely shared response called on the company to stop overworking staff, pointing out that customers often complain about poor service without understanding the pressure employees may be under.
Others took the discussion further, arguing that the incident reflects a broader problem in the country’s workplaces. Some users said similar practices happen across different industries, often without consequences, and claimed workers are left with little protection.
The location of the incident has not been confirmed, which has only added to the speculation and frustration online. Still, the uniforms alone were enough to tie the issue firmly to the brand in the public mind.
Stop this nonsense of abusing your staff. Customer complaints about bad service only to find out you are overworking your staff .they no longer have any energy left to face your customers. STOP IT
If you need your bushes to be trimmed get a gardener for that.🐝 (@sikie4) January 21, 2026
Steers responds and launches investigation
Steers has moved quickly to address the backlash. The company said it values its staff and made it clear that employees are not expected to carry out tasks outside their roles. According to the brand, an immediate investigation has been launched into the incident shown in the video.
The company stressed that such practices are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. While Steers did not confirm where the footage was filmed or who was responsible, the message was clear that the situation did not align with its policies.
This is happening to many working places in South Africa and there’s no one to defend the workers because these Unions eat on the same table with the Employees. They will refuse cause there is no concrete evidence.
Leonardo_Moeti (@LeonardoMoeti) January 21, 2026
Why this moment has struck a nerve
Fast food outlets are a familiar part of daily life in South Africa, often staffed by workers who already face long hours, modest pay, and intense customer pressure. Seeing employees in uniform doing gardening work taps into long-standing frustrations about power imbalances and worker treatment.
The clip has also reopened conversations about job descriptions, labour rights, and the quiet ways exploitation can show up in everyday settings. For many viewers, the issue is not just about one brand, but about how easily boundaries can blur when workers feel they cannot say no.
As Steers investigates, the public response shows that South Africans are watching closely. The outcome may matter less than the fact that a brief roadside video has forced a national brand, and the country at large, to confront uncomfortable questions about work, respect, and accountability.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Daily Investor
