Permanent new home for market
Owners of the Moreleta Village Market have found a new venue for the event and would no longer attempt to stage the arts and craft fair in the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve.
Stephané Bothma
The war of words over the closing down of a market in the Moreleta Kloof nature reserve, has seemingly ended.
“After weeks of speculation and controversy the Moreleta Village market owners and conservationists have buried the hatchet and decided to move on,” said market owner Mercia van Tonder.
The market has found a new venue and would not pursue avenues to return to the nature reserve.
Rekord, blamed by some for ‘closing the market’, bore the brunt of accusations and insults on social media last month, after it published that the Tshwane metro had decided to withdraw permission for the market at the reserve.
However, it had since come to light the reason for Tshwane’s move had been that the correct documentation required to stage an arts and craft market at Rademeyers restaurant – situated in the reserve – had not been submitted to the metro.
“As a result of the limitations placed on the size of functions that could be held at Rademeyers restaurant and the long time it may take to get permission to rectify the situation, we have decided not to wait,” said Pierre Pitzer, one of the organisers for the market.
He said there were several traders who were dependent on markets such as the Moreleta Village market for a living and therefore it had been decided to find a new, suitable venue.
Van Tonder said it was in the interest of exhibitors and visitors to the market to find a suitable alternative venue. From 27 and 28 February, the market, now a weekend event, would be held at The Collection Venue in Garsfontein, next to the Woodlands Mall.
The Collection Venue met all requirements such as safety, location, parking and as an added bonus, the venue had a liquor licence, Van Tonder said.
“Because of the size of the new venue, it had also been decided to stage a weekend market with 60 stalls on a Saturday and 60 stalls on a Sunday,” Van Tonder explained.
She said the partnership between The Collection Venue and the Moreleta Village market would provide visitors the opportunity for a family day out.
“Parents will now be able to order their favourite alcoholic beverage, be it craft beer or wine, while the children enjoy the entertainment on offer,” Van Tonder said.
The Moreleta Village Market is home to top art and handmade products such as African Kaya which makes carpets out of recycled material, Underhay handmade jewelry, Buffelsfontein Baard Olie (beard oil) and a range of foods that would make every foodie’s mouth water.
The market starts at 09.00 on Saturdays and 11.00 on Sundays.
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