Clad in their colourful traditional wear, members of South Africa’s Amandebele nation descended on a shopping mall in Midrand, Johannesburg in a show of force and affirmation.
Amandebele’s action followed a national outcry after a manager at the Boulders Shopping Mall attempted to eject activist and author Thando Mahlangu from the centre because he was dressed in traditional Ndebele gear.
The center manager was suspended, faces disciplinary action. His action drew the ire of South Africans many of whom took to social media to express their anger. The video of him harassing Mahlangu went viral and has attracted the attention of the Gauteng provincial government, political parties as well as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
The SAHRC yesteday met with Inkosi Mkhambi Mahlangu of the Amandebele and other senior traditional leaders to discuss the best possible solution to the problem.
Mbali Hlophe, the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation yesterday met with Boulders Mall management.
The SA House of Traditional Leaders also expressed its disappointment.
