H&M open for business

It is business as usual at the Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) outlet in Mall of the North after Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters gathered outside the shop on Saturday to demonstrate their dismay at an advertisement.
EFF supporters protested and allegedly damaged property at outlets of the Swedish clothing retail brand in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria early on Saturday morning. H&M Mall of the North was however closed as a preventative measure, but re-opened on Monday.

H&M faces accusations of racism following an image from its boys’ fashion range advertising a hooded top that read ‘Coolest monkey in the jungle’. The model used was a young black boy.
Mall of the North General Manager, Sumari de Ridder said a group of about 25 EFF supporters gathered at the entrance of H&M on Saturday at 13:00 but did not enter. “Mall Management engaged with the protestors and it was agreed that they will disperse pending a meeting between H&M’s head office and the EFF on Wednesday. No damage was done and it did not affect other tenants or shoppers,” De Ridder confirmed.

Story & photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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