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Cape Town - Retailers Woolworths [JSE:WHL] and Clicks [JSE:CLS] have joined Massmart [JSE:MSM] in closing all shops across the country on Sunday as a sign of respect to the late icon Nelson Mandela.
Woolworths CEO Ian Moir said all stores in South Africa will be closed on December 15, the day of Mandela's funeral in his hometown Qunu, in the Eastern Cape.
"The acknowledgement of this momentous day is significantly more important than the loss of revenue," the group said.
Woolies, together with the Soweto Gospel Choir, have also been praised on social media websites for a moving tribute to Madiba.
Initially, they planned and rehearsed a rendition of James Brown’s I feel Good for a Christmas campaign.
However, it was later decided to transform the performance into a Madiba tribute.
"We asked the Soweto Gospel Choir for suggestions and they unanimously chose Johnny Clegg’s Asibonanga.
"We are overwhelmed by the response from the public," Woolworths told Fin24.
Watch the video here
Clicks Group CEO David Kneale announced in a statement on Wednesday that it will also be honouring the legacy of the former statesman.
“As a mark of respect, all of our South African retail stores will be closed for trading”.
He said this would allow employees to follow the funeral proceedings on television or to attend memorial services in local communities.
“Obviously it’s a very important time of the year in terms of trading, but we were guided by what our staff and customers would want. We feel it is an appropriate symbol of respect," said Kneale.
The retailer will resume normal trading on Monday December 16, which is also a public holiday.
Massmart Holdings was the first to announce on Monday that all stores and shops would be closed on Mandela's burial day.
The brands affected include Builders Warehouse, Builders Express, Builders Trade Depot, Builders Superstore, CBW, Cambridge Food, Dion-Wired, Game, Jumbo Cash & Carry, Makro and Rhino Cash & Carry.
- Fin24
Woolworths CEO Ian Moir said all stores in South Africa will be closed on December 15, the day of Mandela's funeral in his hometown Qunu, in the Eastern Cape.
"The acknowledgement of this momentous day is significantly more important than the loss of revenue," the group said.
Woolies, together with the Soweto Gospel Choir, have also been praised on social media websites for a moving tribute to Madiba.
Initially, they planned and rehearsed a rendition of James Brown’s I feel Good for a Christmas campaign.
However, it was later decided to transform the performance into a Madiba tribute.
"We asked the Soweto Gospel Choir for suggestions and they unanimously chose Johnny Clegg’s Asibonanga.
"We are overwhelmed by the response from the public," Woolworths told Fin24.
Watch the video here
Clicks Group CEO David Kneale announced in a statement on Wednesday that it will also be honouring the legacy of the former statesman.
“As a mark of respect, all of our South African retail stores will be closed for trading”.
He said this would allow employees to follow the funeral proceedings on television or to attend memorial services in local communities.
“Obviously it’s a very important time of the year in terms of trading, but we were guided by what our staff and customers would want. We feel it is an appropriate symbol of respect," said Kneale.
The retailer will resume normal trading on Monday December 16, which is also a public holiday.
Massmart Holdings was the first to announce on Monday that all stores and shops would be closed on Mandela's burial day.
The brands affected include Builders Warehouse, Builders Express, Builders Trade Depot, Builders Superstore, CBW, Cambridge Food, Dion-Wired, Game, Jumbo Cash & Carry, Makro and Rhino Cash & Carry.
- Fin24
