By Pumza Fihlani | From BBC News

Residents of South Africa’s biggest city are brand conscious and rarely need much persuasion to try something new – so many were up for tasting their first cup of coffee from Starbucks when the US giant opened its doors in Johannesburg this week.

Long queues formed outside the cafe in Rosebank, an up market part of the city, braving the uncharacteristically chilly April weather.

Johannesburg – which boasts a healthy black middle class with a bit more disposable income – is as good a place as any in Africa to test out a luxury brand.

It is the first Starbucks in sub-Saharan Africa and the launch party on Wednesday night was attended by many city socialites.

Those who waited outside, some overnight, for the public opening the next day took selfies which they posted on social media – and #StarbuckSA trended on Twitter for most of Thursday.

Cousins Tsholo Moncho and Keabetswe Kgantisoe, who live in Boksburg about 30km (18 miles) away, made the trip just for the opening.

“I had my first Starbucks on holiday in England and I’m so happy that they’ve come here it’s about time,” says 18-year-old Ms Kgantisoe.

Ms Moncho said she had never tried a Starbucks before and was full of anticipation.

“Keabetswe dragged me here and I can’t wait to try it. I really wanted to be one of the first people to have a taste,” the 28-year-old says.

But some on social media did not get what the excitement was about, saying they preferred other chains or complaining about the blandness of global brands

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