Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre faces backlash over ’mandatory vaccination notice’

The notice that is alleged to be in the management offices in the shopping centre. Picture: Facebook

The notice that is alleged to be in the management offices in the shopping centre. Picture: Facebook

Published Nov 3, 2021

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DURBAN - Last week a misinterpreted notice by Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre went viral on Facebook.

Many of those who read or came across the notice assumed that it meant that if you are not vaccinated, you would not be allowed into the shopping centre.

The notice said that due to the nature of their business, they were mandated to regretfully deny the entry of unvaccinated individuals to the centre management offices.

“You will be required to present proof of vaccination to access entry (your vaccination card or a photo of your vaccination card),” the notice read.

“For your peace of mind, Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre Management staff are all vaccinated.”

The shopping centre addressed the issue and said: “There is a very misleading post circulating. People are failing to read the small poster in full at our reception area. The poster refers to the Centre Management Office only, beyond our reception area.”

This is how some Facebook users responded:

Phila Mantengu: This is totally unacceptable in a democratic country, it is the same as what was happening in an apartheid era where people were divided according to their race.

Kimona Padayachee: We have read it fully and do understand that the restrictions are pertaining to the centre management offices but it still makes no sense. The vaccine does not stop the spread of the virus, it protects oneself from the health implications of the virus. So whether vaccinated or not, the virus can still spread.

Thami Nator Sibanda: So tell me, did the Boardwalk management force their staff in the centre management office to get vaccinated?

Ismail Memon: Is it not silly that Centre Management staff can walk through the mall, into all the shops, mix with the public but the public cannot visit the Centre Management? It seems as though the Centre Management doesn't want their tenants and the public to visit them and are using the vaccine as an excuse.

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