Cape Town begins building the new Masiphumelele Market

Informal traders to get a new market space

The new Masiphumelele Gateway Market will soon provide informal traders in Cape Town with a clean and safe trading space.

According to the City of Cape Town, the development of market and trading sites across the city is part of a programme to help create more dignified, business-friendly, and accessible locations that support local entrepreneurs and drive economic opportunities.

“The Masiphumelele Gateway Market will bring a more dignified and clean trading space for this community and for the informal traders. It will also help spur economic opportunities in the area.” Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis said at the sod-turning ceremony on 28 January.

“We want to be a city known as much for our care and service in communities like Masiphumelele as we are for our global accolades for tourism. I am really excited to see the improvement this project will bring for Masiphumelele and its residents,” Mayor Hill-Lewis added.

What to expect from the market

The Masiphumelele market will be situated on Kommetjie Road and will accommodate around 66 trading opportunities, with trading bays, kiosks, a food preparation area, ablution facilities, an office block, parking and other amenities.

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said that the Masiphumelele market will provide traders with a safe, sheltered and dignified trading space, and will also help reduce pavement congestion in the area.

Vos added that the project would also support job creation during both the construction and operational phases.