Mall Manager Under Fire for Refusing Entry to Man in Ndebele Attire

Mall Manager Under Fire for Refusing Entry to Man in Ndebele Attire

Phumzile Ngcatshe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:48 PM

- The Midrand Boulders Shopping Centre manager has sparked outrage from South Africans following a video on Twitter where a man was denied entry

- Following the incident at the Clicks store, the pharmacy group has promised to lodge a complaint against the centre manager

- Meanwhile, social media users in Mzansi have also shared their views on the shocking incident

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Clicks South Africa has promised to take action after an incident in which a man dressed in traditional Ndebele attire was refused entry at a shopping mall in Midrand.

A video has surfaced and it's going viral on Twitter, showing a man in a Ndebele outfit being denied entry by a Boulders Shopping Centre manager in Midrand - the incident led to the pharmaceutical company's intervention.

In the video, the man is seen approached by another man dressed in a red jacket, referred to as the centre manager, he then asked him to vacate the premises as they have the right of admission.

According to the video, the manager says 'Let's cut a long story short. We've got a right of admission. I don't condone this in my mall'.”

Boulders Shopping Centre manager has come under fire for refusing entry to a man dressed in Ndebele attire. Image: Twitter
Boulders Shopping Centre manager has come under fire for refusing entry to a man dressed in Ndebele attire. Image: Twitter
Source: Twitter

However, a bystander who happens to be a woman and brave enough to film the incident, intervened and challenged the manager. She is heard saying:

“This is Africa. You can't tell someone what to do or what to wear at which mall.”

In his assessment, the centre manager had the impression that the Ndebele man was not clothed in a decent manner, implying the mall was a public space. The Ndebele-dressed customer responded:

“You are wearing Western; I am wearing African.”

However, the manager would not back down and said "This is my mall”, thus denying the man entry to the shopping centre.

According to media reports, the incident took place at a Clicks Pharmacy store and the group has already issued a statement, confirming their intention to take the matter forward.

Responding to the video posted by @ThandoMahlangu, South Africans were angered by the centre manager's actions.

@Michael_Bucwa, aka the infamous 'Mr Smeg', said:

“I am truly sorry for what you experienced. This is heartbreaking. Please find a way to forgive those who insulted you and took you for granted.  If you ever need a friend to talk to SOUL to SOUL, just know that I am here for you. I am here if you need a shoulder to cry on.”

@DiatonicM had this to say:

“People go to malls and other public places wearing bum shorts and other revealing clothing and it's never indecent. This gentleman is not even naked, he is even adhering to Covid-19 regulations by having his mask on. This mall must be boycotted at all costs.”

@RealChestro had something interesting to say:

“Emotions aside, private properties reserve the right of admission. I can go to Spar wearing a suit (I don't own one) and they could kick me out whenever they feel like it. To say he must go wear something decent is disgusting and wrong. This is Africa, we are Africans and proud.”

For now, it remains to be seen whether the shopping centre will take action against the centre manager or decide to retain him but Briefly.co.za will keep watching the developments.

Meanwhile, this website previously reported on a video where Mzansi followers reacted in outrage after a man was beaten by a woman. The woman in the footage slaps the man several times before shoving him around as they called it domestic violence.

Responding to the same video, others went as far as tagging the South African police official Twitter page and calling on them to arrest the woman.

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