Mzansi celebs lash out against man being told to leave shopping mall over traditional attire

25 March 2021 - 12:00 By deepika naidoo
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Mzansi and our celebs have expressed their disbelief over the viral video.
Mzansi and our celebs have expressed their disbelief over the viral video.
Image: Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu

SA's famous faces have lashed out against the treatment of Ndebele activist and author Thando Mahlangu after he was ordered to leave a store at Boulders Shopping Centre, Midrand, for wearing traditional attire.

In a video circulating on social media, Thando was confronted by a man — later identified as a centre manager — who asked him to leave.

The manager implied that the man was dressed indecently, saying that the mall was “a public place”. 

The clip has since gone viral, with Clicks pharmacy issuing a statement on their official Twitter account, saying they would  be issuing a formal complaint against the manager.

“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.

“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.”

Mzansi's rich and famous took to social media to express their outrage at the situation. Nandi Madida, Robert Marawa and Ntsiki Mazwai were just some of the celebs who were shocked and displeased with the incident.

“Mr Red Jacket who 'owns the mall' denies someone access to a Clicks store because of an inappropriate dress sense!! Wow!! What a day!!" tweeted Robert Marawa.

Nandi Madida said it was sad that one cannot be African in Africa.

Here are some of the responses:


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