traditional african attire boulders mall clicks

Image via Twitter: @thandomahlangu_

Mall apologises after man was asked to leave over traditional wear

Boulders Shopping Centre in Midrand has said the contents of the viral video does not represent its core beliefs and values

traditional african attire boulders mall clicks

Image via Twitter: @thandomahlangu_

Management at the Boulders Shopping Centre in Midrand has issued an apology, as South Africans continue to react angrily to a video clip showing a man be verbally attacked for wearing traditional attire.

In a clip that has gone viral, a man reported to be Ndebele cultural activist and author Thando Mahlangu, is told to leave a Clicks store at the by centre manager, because of his clothes. The shopping centre insists it doesn’t discriminate against shoppers based on how they look.

“The Centre would like to clarify that it does not deny entry based on appearances and clothes. It is unfortunate that the incident that occurred inside Clicks is being viewed as intolerant towards other cultures and clothes. We would like to state that based on various complaints received from shoppers the person in question was asked to leave the store as his underwear indecently exposed him,” it said in a statement.

 “We neither had nor have any intentions of hurting sentiments or discriminating against anyone on the basis of their cultural beliefs and practices. The exchange in the video does not represent the core beliefs and values of the centre. We take this opportunity to once again apologise to those who feel hurt by the incident. The decision was taken in the interests of other shoppers and employees of the mall,”

Boulders Shopping Centre

Clicks to file complaint against Boulder Shopping Centre

Social media users were far from impressed with the Boulders Shopping Centre, over the man’s conduct. It is unclear if any action will be taken against him.

“Let’s cut the long story short, we’ve got a right of admission. I don’t condone this in my mall. So, ngicela uphume (please leave),” the man can be heard saying to Mahlangu on the clip, which was taken by his (Mahlangu) wife.

At the same time Clicks Pharmacy said it intends filing a complaint over the encounter. The health and beauty retailer said it was left embarrassed by the scandal.

“Clicks Midrand Boulders did not ask a customer dressed in traditional Ndebele attire to leave the Clicks store. The centre manager of Boulders, accompanied by Boulders Centre security, entered the Clicks store and demanded that the customer leave,” it said.

“The Clicks store manager intervened and asked the centre manager to leave. The customer was allowed to continue shopping. We are extremely embarrassed by the centre manager’s behaviour and will be putting in a formal complaint.”

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