DURBAN - SIXTY four year old Josephine Nzama and her son, Lindelani, have been waiting outside Checkers, Gateway since 4am for Black Friday specials.
Nzama arrived at Gateway in a taxi from her Verulam home to stock her shelves for the year-end festivities.
“Everything is expensive these days so I am here today to get my Christmas and New Year shopping done and then we can save some money,” she said.
Nzama and her son danced as the doors to the Checkers Black Friday sale opened at 7am. After the morning rush Gateway was generally quiet as stores had opened early to accommodate for the shopping frenzy.
64-year-old Josephine Nzama and her son, Lindelani.
A bigger shopping frenzy was expected in the afternoon when people had finished work and wanted to join the sale day. Most of the shopping action at gateway was outside the Checkers supermarket, electronic and clothing stores.
An estimated 5 000 people made their way to the shopping mall at midnight for Game's midnight specials.
Father-daughter duo, Himanth and Diyadna Rampaul were the first in line outside Lacoste, a brand name clothing store which participated in the Black Friday sale.
Himanth said: “We were here just after 5am because we like this brand of clothing which is usually expense but now they’re selling at almost half price so we can get our presents for everyone.”
Game at Gateway had been quiet at 7am, after opening their doors to the public at midnight for shoppers were keen on getting their hands on the best merchandise for slashed prices.
SAPS officials could be seen across the mall, first at Checkers to control the crowd and afterwards walking in large groups to maintain a security presence. Vehicles were also stationed at some entrances and exits of Gateway.
Parking began to fill up by midday as shoppers trickled in, and those leaving with packed trolleys had a clear smile, with some having to look over large boxes that was stacked in their trolleys to see where they were going.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE