What was meant to empower consumers and remind them of their right to complain has instead become a source of online laughter, after a video advert shared by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) on X triggered a wave of ridicule from social media users.
The Central Bank had posted the video with the caption, “You have a right to complain if you are unsatisfied with the resolution of your financial complaint by your financial services provider! Email [email protected] or toll-free 459.”
But rather than focusing on the message, many viewers zeroed in on the quality of the production itself, questioning its creativity, relevance, and value for money.
Other critics were particularly unimpressed by the decision to use a drone to shoot what they described as a poorly executed advert.
One user, Gudzemula, mocked the production, saying, “Using a drone to shoot this la** ad is another type of crazy. Guys can’t you find a more creative age or even a budget yake anthu muli ku ndalama kale. Find achinyamata ntown mu odziwa kulongosola zinthu zoti anthu akunja atha kuyamikila kuti ku Malawi kuli ma creatives.”
Others were even more blunt. Carlos Baleba commented, “Your ads are so wack. Fa ind better content manager. Your actors are wack too,” a sentiment that was echoed across the comment section as users piled on criticism.
Musician Toast joined the chorus, framing the backlash as a sign of generational frustration. “Guys ndi 2026, tapangani ngini yooneka kugulu, tikufelanji wanuyi 2026,” he wrote, questioning why such content was being produced in an era where audiences expect higher standards and modern storytelling.
Many users argued that while the message about consumer rights is important, poor execution risks undermining its impact, turning serious public education into online mockery.
