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Business booming for Vilakazi St vendors

Johannesburg - Business was good for the vendors around former president Nelson Mandela's old home in Vilakazi Street, Soweto, on Monday.

Vendors lined Vilakazi Street, selling Mandela memorabilia, beverages, and snacks.

"Since Friday I have been making around R3 000 a day," said Mandla Ngwenya, who sells Mandela T-shirts and caps.

David Mamuleka has sold beverages and snacks there since Friday.

"My stall has been making a lot of money. I am very grateful for that," he said.

Mandela moved into the house with his first wife Evelyn Mase in 1946, according to the website www.mandelahouse.co.za.

They divorced in 1957, and a year later he was joined there by his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

He spent a brief time in the house after his release from prison in 1990. It is now a museum and national monument.

Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday night at the age of 95.

A man living a street away from the house in Vilakazi Street said on Monday that he had fond memories of Mandela.

"My mother and I met Madiba when he was campaigning for the ANC after he was released from prison," said Xolani Khoba, who lives in Lembede Street.

"He came into our house to ask us how we are and said that he wanted to help the community improve their living conditions.

"It was such a blessing seeing the thousands of people coming to pay their respects to Tata."

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