LIMPOPO – Shoppers and vendors at the Hoedspruit Farmers Market, presented by the K2C Biosphere, can look forward to a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment, thanks to an approved road closure along a section of Zandspruit Boulevard during market hours.

Starting on April 5, a portion of Zandspruit Boulevard, from the R527 turn-off near Campfire Properties to the Zandspruit Valley entrance, will be closed on the first Saturday of each month, from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Why the road closure?

The Hoedspruit Farmers Market has grown in popularity, attracting crowds of visitors who browse stalls, enjoy local produce, and engage with vendors.

However, with growth in the market and development of the Zandspruit area, traffic volumes have increased and our Risk Assessment has identified this as a significant risk to the overall safety of the Hoedspruit Farmers Market.

“The safety of our shoppers and vendors is a top priority,” says Lauren Booth, Market Coordinator and K2C Biosphere Communications Implementor. “The traffic passing through the market zone poses a serious hazard as it stands, and we would be remiss to ignore this. We appreciate the Farm House, Hoedspruit for spearheading the application, the Zandspruit Homeowners Association for recognising and responding to the risk, as well as the local businesses for supporting us to ensure a secure space for the Market community.”

What you need to know

• Public traffic will now use the western Zandspruit entrance near Aerotel (1km further west along the R527) to access Zandspruit Boulevard from the opposite side.
• All usual parking will still be available via this alternative route.
• Zandspruit Valley Gate will still be accessible, but traffic will need to proceed along Zandspruit Boulevard past Aerotel before turning onto the R527, and vice versa,
• Vendors will need to arrive and have offloaded before 7:30 AM as no access will be granted after this time.
• Clients and guests with hotel reservations & spa appointments will be provided a confirmation to access these business parkings on the day.

Managing the Closure

To ensure a safe, smooth transition, signage will be placed along the R527 to warn and direct traffic to the appropriate Market access point. Additionally, a team of volunteers, including Hoedspruit Farm Watch, will be on-site to assist in managing the road closure, from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The Hoedspruit Farmers Market and K2C Biosphere teams appreciate the community’s cooperation in making this a safer and more enjoyable experience for all.
For further information, contact Lauren Booth on lauren@kruger2canyons.org.