Nando’s South Africa briefed us to promote two large meals for people to share during the festive season when families and friends spend time together. To show the benefit of the meals, we used a simple insight: no one should have to eat alone. The creative execution was born from the events of 2011 – a year with major political uprisings and the end of many autocratic leaders. We focused on Robert Mugabe as the last dictator standing. Using our rendition of the iconic 1968 track, “Those were the days” by Mary Hopkin, we tell the story of Robert Mugabe’s happier days. He recalls the good times spent with other tyrants who have now either died or have been dispossessed of power. In the end, it is only Mugabe who sits alone at the big table with no friends. On its own, the music is extremely nostalgic. But when combined with images of dictators frolicking around happily, the irony behind the lyrics and the catchy tune amplifies the humour.