Sir Richard Branson has apologised for sharing a photo of himself at an event in South Africa which "clearly lacked diversity".
The Virgin Group boss posted the picture from the launch of the new Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship on Twitter, but was criticised for it featuring "so many white people".
South African fashion designer Thula Sindi asked the entrepreneur: "Where did you find so many white people in South Africa?.
"That must have really taken an honest effort for exclude the majority of the population which is just as skilled and talented."
Another Twitter user wrote: "Uhm... white folk arent the only entrepreneurs in South Africa, Richard."
The entrepreneur has now deleted the tweet, and later posted other photos from the launch, which featured a more diverse crowd of people.
Sir Richard said: "The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship is for all South Africans, but yesterday's choice of a photo to go with my tweet clearly lacked diversity.
"Apologies. I hope you will take a look at my blog which does far better justice to the amazing work of the Centre and its team."
Of South Africa's 59 million citizens, around 81 per cent are black.
White people account for 7.9 per cent of the population.
A spokesperson for Virgin said the photo originally posted by the tycoon was "poorly chosen", and did "not reflect the diverse make-up of attendees" at the event.
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