The once vibrant Umhlali Village Market has suffered a cruel twist of fate as the shadow of the Umhlali Christmas market scam has fallen on its good name.

The Umhlali Christmas market was a once-off event last December that was closed on the fourth of the planned nine days, after the organisers were accused of conning about 150 exhibitors out of thousands of Rands in profit.

But because the two markets share a similar name and location they are being cast as one and the same.

Umhlali Village Market organiser and local Vernon Malyon said this could not be further from the truth.

“The Umhlali Village Market was started in June 2015 with the aim of reviving the quaint little village because Umhlali has huge potential as a tourist destination,” said Malyon.

Local artists, home industry vendors and clever crafters trade their specialty wares within the old Umhlali Village Station and the market was a great success.

Malyon said the number of people coming out to enjoy the day at the market had dropped dramatically because of the perception that the two markets were connected.

“The market has taken quite a knock.”

Malyon is urging the public to support this local initiative once again.

The market is held on the last Saturday of every month, with the next one being February 27.

Visit their Facebook page to keep up to date with their events.

Looking back at a few of the Umhlali Village Markets…

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