Traders are smiling in Masiphumelele. This follows the opening of a major new informal trading hub in the area. The Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, recently cut the ribbon on the major new informal trading infrastructure at the City’s Masiphumelele Gateway Market.

The Mayor says the new informal trading hub connects and serves the communities of Masiphumelele, Kommetjie, Ocean View and surrounds.

Traders are smiling in Masiphumelele

Also at the ribbon-cutting event was the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos. Meanwhile, the Mayor has added that the site will accommodate approximately 57 informal trading opportunities. He says this will include kiosks, food preparation areas, an office block, parking, public seating, and more. Hill-Lewis says five of the kiosks are also large enough to establish a light manufacturing small business.

Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis addressing the audience at the Masiphumelele Market launch.

A major new informal trading hub

The Mayor added that he is thrilled to open this new traders’ market. He says it connects and serves the communities of Masiphumelele, Kommetjie, Ocean View and surrounds. He added, “For years, this trading site has been an undignified trading space – messy, muddy, and without basic amenities for traders and customers alike. Not to mention an eyesore. This is all now well and truly resolved, with a lovely, dignified trading market that brings dignity to traders and residents.” Hill-Lewis says the upgrade forms part of ongoing trading facility improvements across the city to the tune of over R400m in this term of office.

Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, with councillors, traders and community members at the Masiphumelele Market launch.

Mayor opens major new informal trading hub at Masiphumelele Gateway Market

According to a media statement, the construction of the market came after extensive engagements with both informal traders and community stakeholders. The Mayor says the first round of vendor applications is currently being processed, and trading is set to begin this month.

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, addressing the audience at the Masiphumelele Market launch.

Several city market trading projects

Meanwhile, Alderman James Vos says the aim was to provide safe, dignified and well-operated trading spaces. At the same time, they also have to make sure that the requirements of local traders, businesses and residents can be met. He says Masiphumelele is one of several market trading projects the City has completed over the past 12 months. Vos added that others are the Bo-Kaap Market, the Wallacedene Container Market, Somerset West Trading Kiosks, Macassar Trading Structure, and the upgrade of the Happy Valley Uluntu Plaza Kiosk and Seaforth Trading.

Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman James Vos with traders at the Masiphumelele Market launch. An aerial view of the Masiphumelele Market.

Fuelling economic growth

The City has further noted that more developments are in the pipeline. Vos added that these sites include the 4th Avenue Market in Mitchells Plain and the Vuyani Public Transport Interchange. He said they are proceeding with a considered approach for market developments and upgrades all over Cape Town. Vos elaborated that these projects purposefully centre the various and specific needs of different communities. At the same time, it strengthens a network of traders, entrepreneurs and small businesses that fuel economic growth.