Businesses closed this Sunday
Shops, gymnasiums, at least one mine and other businesses across South Africa will, on Sunday, shut their doors as the state funeral of former president Nelson Mandela takes place in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
Last week, the JSE halted trading for five minutes on Friday, the day Mandela’s death was announced. Since then, several retailers have announced that they will not do business on Sunday as a sign of respect.
Retail group Massmart said this decision, which we have taken in consultation with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, will enable our staff to spend time with their families on the day of Madiba’s funeral and honour a great statesman in ensuring that his legacy continues.
Massmart businesses include the DionWired, Game, Makro and Builders Warehouse chains.
Other businesses that will close on Sunday include Shoprite stores, Italtile group outlets, Virgin Active gymnasiums and Woolworths stores.
Woolworths CEO Ian Moir said as a mark of respect and in honour of the legacy that Mandela leaves our nation, all Woolworths stores in South Africa will be closed on Sunday. Clicks stores will also be closed.
“As a mark of respect, all of our South African retail stores will be closed for trading in order to enable our employees to follow the funeral proceedings on national television, or to attend memorial services in local communities. Rest in peace, Madiba,” Clicks group CEO David Kneale said on Wednesday.
Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen mine will be closed on Sunday for the funeral service.
Meanwhile, Pick n Pay CEO Richard Brasher announced on Thursday that all profits from sales in its stores on Sunday would be donated to charitable causes in honour of the memory and legacy of Mandela.
“I considered closing our stores on Sunday, the day of the funeral. But many staff and customers wanted us to do more to honour Mr Mandela’s legacy in a more practical and tangible way that will benefit people’s lives. We are proud that we have found a way to do so,” Brasher said.
“It is entirely understandable that some staff may wish not to work on Sunday. I respect that choice, and they will be entirely free to choose not to work. Pick n Pay stores on Sunday will be manned only by staff who have chosen to volunteer to work,” concluded Brasher.
(Information from Business Day Live)
