Shop security guard refuses Ndebele activist entry because “he is naked”

Kgotso Mahlangu, a Ndebele Activist, was again refused entry to a shop, because “he is naked”.

SECURITY GUARD TELLS NDEBLE ACTIVIST KGOTSO MAHLANGU HE IS NAKED

Mahlangu was dressed in his Ndebele attire when he was told not to enter the Super Spar at the Moratiwa Mall in KwaDiawulale, Limpopo, yesterday 11 January 2023.

Mahlangu said he was at the mall to meet someone. He went to Super Spar to buy water when the security guard told him he could not enter the shop.

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“Before he could even enter, the security guard told him to leave the parcel at the parcel counter.

“After he handed in the parcel, the security guard told him he is not allowed to enter the shop because he is naked,” says Ndebele Activist Thando Mahlangu.

NDEBELE ACTIVIST DISSAPOINTED AT A “BLACK BROTHER”

According to Mahlangu, the exact words of the security guard was “Gaotsene because ohlobotxe ga wa apara”

Mahlangu alleged that the guard said that repeatedly.

“I am wearing traditional African attire,” Mahlangu told The South African.

“I felt very disappointed because a black brother told a black brother you are naked. Yet I am wearing my culture.

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He said Spar did not handle the situation, and they only handled their security.

“They did not apologise to me,” he said.

NDEBELE ACTIVIST VIOLATED BY ANOTHER AFRICAN

“I’m incredibly concerned (at) the way Africans treat each other.

“We need to educate each other regarding our languages and culture,” Thando said.

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“This is the third incident from Gautrain, Boulders Shopping Centre, and now Moratiwa Mall.

“Within the space of five years, amaNdebele are facing challenges that have to do with their Attire, culture, and language.”

“Kgotso Mahlangu has every right to wear his traditional regalia.

“It doesn’t have to be a heritage day for him to wear his Ndebele attire, and no one must challenge that,” Thando said.

in March 2021, a video went viral on social media which showed Mahlangu being hounded by the Builders Shopping Centre in Johannesburg.

The video shows how the mall manager Jose Maponyane asks Mahlangu to leave the store because he was “indecently” dressed.

In November 2018 Mahlangu was publicly humiliated and kicked out of the Gautrain station in Johannesburg because his traditional garb was deemed “inappropriate”.

Thando said Mhlangu was violated by another African and the way in which Super Spar handled the matter should be taken serious.

“What happened shows the lack of knowledge about African history and culture,” Thando said.