Johannesburg - As serious discussions continued amongst African National Congress (ANC) members inside the 54th national conference on Saturday, business was booming for vendors outside the Nasrec conference centre in Johannesburg, who were selling mostly the ruling party's regalia.
Street vendors lined up at the entrance and displayed different ANC items ranging from hats, dresses, jackets, leggings and jumpsuits.
Lindiwe Zulu, 38, from KwaZulu-Natal said head-to-toe ANC regalia can cost a customer up to R10 000.
"The most expensive stuff is winter clothes, the long jackets, we usually sell them from R6000 to R5000," Zulu said.
Shoppers went around stalls scouting for items which were pleasing to their eyes. Food, books and CD's were sold in the market. Picture: Brenda Masilela/ANA
On Satuday alone, Zulu said she had made around R5000 from selling T-shirts, hats and key holders.
Not far from Zulu, there was Sibongile Ntuli from Pretoria.
In a stall shared with her family, Ntuli was selling dresses. When asked why the prices were so expensive, Ntuli said they hardly get to sell anywhere else besides ANC events.
People from the neighbourhood also came through the market to see what was happening on Saturday. Video: Brenda Masilela/ANA
"It's not easy to get these items, even customers know that this a once-off event and they support us."
A simple dress at Ntuli's stall ranged from R650 to R850.
"It's business my sister," she said with a laugh.
Some stalls sold books, CD's and food.
The conference is expected to run for four days. The vendors said they intended camping outside until the conference was completed.