As former President Nelson Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital since being admitted on June 8 for a recurring lung infection, the Pretoria Medi Clinic Heart hospital has been turned into a booming business place.
Several South Africans have spotted a business opportunity selling clothes and banners that have Mandela’s picture and name engraved on it.
Street vendors and youth from different churches saw a platform to sell food to all the international media camping outside the hospital where Mandela is being treated.
North West matric student, Steve Nkoeng who aspires to be a journalist after completing his studies is one of the many making money out of Mandela’s hospitalization.
The 19 year old student started camping outside the hospital yesterday selling banners and t-shirts written ‘I love you Tata Madiba’ and ANC banners with the former President's picture on it.
Poverty has driven Nkoeng to start a business outside the hospital.
“I am trying to make money to go to school, my parents are not working,” he says.
Nkoeng sells Madiba tops for R120, banners R100 and caps R45.
In two days he has made R2855.
“Yesterday I sold 15 tops, seven caps and two banners but today I have only managed to sell three tops and four caps this morning.
“Its working for me I am making profit and my clients are not local,” he says.
Godfrey Mooketsi has a business similar to Nkoeng and has been selling outside the hospital since last week.”
“People are buying everyday because they are preparing for the last day of Mandela. They are buying them now because later on they will be expensive. I am targeting international customers, when we speak of Madiba, we talking about a global icon,” says Mooketsi.
Member of Performing Ministry, Armando van Niekerk says they're selling boerewors rolls and cool drinks to journalists and visitors in an attempt to raise R20 000 for church.
“Today is our first day, we’re not doing badly for only being open 30 minutes but we’re still far away from the R20000,” he says.
Freelance photographer Maxwell Modau of Dobsonville in Soweto said he had been able to make money photographing people outside the hospital since Saturday.
"The money is good. It is better than what I make taking pictures at recreational parks. I take home an average of R300 every day."
He said he saw a business opportunity when he visited the hospital on Saturday.
"People use their cellphones to take pictures but others need someone to photograph them. I had brought my camera and portable printer. I took pictures and printed them immediately," he said.
People from the surrounding area have also been renting out rooms to house international media.
Chaos outside the hospital has died down in recent days. Journalists and police officers have decreased in numbers.
- additional reporting by Sapa
- Follow Bongiwe on Twitter: @bongirand2
Booming businesses outside Madiba hospital
As former President Nelson Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital since being admitted on June 8 for a recurring lung infection, the Pretoria Medi Clinic Heart hospital has been turned into a booming business place.
Several South Africans have spotted a business opportunity selling clothes and banners that have Mandela’s picture and name engraved on it.
Street vendors and youth from different churches saw a platform to sell food to all the international media camping outside the hospital where Mandela is being treated.
North West matric student, Steve Nkoeng who aspires to be a journalist after completing his studies is one of the many making money out of Mandela’s hospitalization.
The 19 year old student started camping outside the hospital yesterday selling banners and t-shirts written ‘I love you Tata Madiba’ and ANC banners with the former President's picture on it.
Poverty has driven Nkoeng to start a business outside the hospital.
“I am trying to make money to go to school, my parents are not working,” he says.
Nkoeng sells Madiba tops for R120, banners R100 and caps R45.
In two days he has made R2855.
“Yesterday I sold 15 tops, seven caps and two banners but today I have only managed to sell three tops and four caps this morning.
“Its working for me I am making profit and my clients are not local,” he says.
Godfrey Mooketsi has a business similar to Nkoeng and has been selling outside the hospital since last week.”
“People are buying everyday because they are preparing for the last day of Mandela. They are buying them now because later on they will be expensive. I am targeting international customers, when we speak of Madiba, we talking about a global icon,” says Mooketsi.
Member of Performing Ministry, Armando van Niekerk says they're selling boerewors rolls and cool drinks to journalists and visitors in an attempt to raise R20 000 for church.
“Today is our first day, we’re not doing badly for only being open 30 minutes but we’re still far away from the R20000,” he says.
Freelance photographer Maxwell Modau of Dobsonville in Soweto said he had been able to make money photographing people outside the hospital since Saturday.
"The money is good. It is better than what I make taking pictures at recreational parks. I take home an average of R300 every day."
He said he saw a business opportunity when he visited the hospital on Saturday.
"People use their cellphones to take pictures but others need someone to photograph them. I had brought my camera and portable printer. I took pictures and printed them immediately," he said.
People from the surrounding area have also been renting out rooms to house international media.
Chaos outside the hospital has died down in recent days. Journalists and police officers have decreased in numbers.
- additional reporting by Sapa
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