Johannesburg - Local street vendors outside former president Nelson Mandela's home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Saturday said they were struggling to keep up with the demand for memorabilia.
"The people are so fast to buy their items," said Sophie Mbuli, a vendor based on the corner of 11th Avenue and 4th Street.
"Mandela shirts have sold out twice and we want to keep the people coming back, but it's difficult because they are buying sometimes four at a time."
Sales of shirts (R100), hats (R60), badges (starting at R10) and flags (R140) emblazoned with Mandela's face were selling at a rapid rate, as local and international visitors to the scene hurried to buy a piece of the event.
Mandela died at the house on Thursday night at the age of 95.
His memorial service will be held at FNB stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday and he will be buried at Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, where he grew up, next Sunday.
- Send us your memories and photos of Nelson Mandela.
- Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.