'Do we gauge our success based on where we shop?' - Ayanda Borotho on shopping ekasi

Isibaya actress Ayanda Borotho has taken several lessons from the life of late US rapper Nipsey Hussle and urged her followers to support local businesses.

Taking to Instagram recently, Ayanda recounted how growing up in KwaMashu she would shop at local stores, but over the years she has seen how people now prefer to go shopping in the suburbs of Durban North, neglecting township businesses.

"I've often came across the same stories, where people leave shops or businesses owned by black people in the township, which offer the same products and services, [and] go and buy from suburbs [at] shops not owned by their own people and sometimes where the product is more expensive."

She said that a conversation about supporting black business was needed and should be "honest and open".

"Do we look down upon our own? Do we gauge our success based on where we shop? The whiter the suburb, the better the product? Or do we believe there is a systematic way of keeping the standard low at our townships, so people opt to go and buy outside?" she asked.

Ayanda shared her thoughts alongside a picture of Nipsey, who died on 31 March. At the star's memorial service in Los Angeles on Thursday he was applauded for opening businesses in his area to improve the local economy. Many hailed his work and support for his community, including former president Barack Obama.