The much-loved Oranjezicht City Farm Market that won the South African Heritage Award in the 2014 Eat Out Zonnebloem Produce Awards, has been dealing with some issues regarding its existence in the beautiful and historic suburb of Cape Town’s Oranjezicht.
The City Farm announced the closure of the market – with immediate effect, on Facebook on 27th November, which sparked an outrage on social media; the community was in shock.
The Saturday market is (was) held in Homestead Park, located next to the corner of Sidmouth Avenue and Upper Orange Street, Oranjezicht, next to the actual farm.
The Saturday market area was covered by a lovely Bedouin tent for the longest time, but then Heritage Western Cape denied the farm’s application to erect the tent. For the past several weeks, the market had been shaded with shade cloth.
Further applications were submitted on 26 November, but were turned down when new requirements were introduced which would limit the scale of the market beyond viability.
Despite best efforts, the undeniable conclusion was made that the Oranjezicht City Farm Market Day would need to come to a dead halt.
Helen Zille to the rescue!
Shortly after the public announcement, after a meeting with Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Helen agreed that Market Day every Saturday (9am to 2pm) could be relocated to her official residence, Leeuwenhof in Hof Street Cape Town.
The tent will be erected on one side of the rugby field there will be parking on the other side. OZCF stated that their regular traders will be there.
The farm invites you to join them at the Premier’s residence on Saturday.
Pic: Oranjezicht City Farm Facebook
Be the first in the know:
OZCF will be hosting a public meeting on Wednesday 3 December 2014 at 18h30 at St. Cyprian’s School, Gorge Road in Oranjezicht that all are welcome to attend.