The festive spirit was alive and well in the capital city as malls brimmed with shoppers as they prepared for Christmas.

 Families, friends, and individuals of all ages filled the shopping centres, soaking up the joy and excitement that comes with this special time of year.

The festive season is one of the most anticipated periods of the year, which also comes with an appetite for shopping.

Small business owners spoke to nbc's Luqman Cloete about consumer spending during the festive season.

For many homeless individuals, Christmas is just another difficult day.

The holiday season can be particularly difficult for them, as they are often faced with loneliness and hunger.

Little is left for them as they rummage through the bins because people have gone away for holidays.