Flea Market rakes in thousands, MEC sees potential
An evaluation indicates crafters and designers at the Mapungubwe Arts, Culture and Heritage Festival flea market, last year, collectively made a R64 000 earning.
LOCAL crafters and designers were granted an opportunity to display and sell their products during the first Mapungubwe Arts, Culture and Heritage Festival flea market at Library Gardens in December.
A detailed evaluation indicates the crafters and designers collectively made a R64 000 earning. Along with that, crafters and designers received orders amounting to R10 000.
This opportunity was afforded to them by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture whose MEC, Onicca Moloi, expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported the local designers and crafters. Moloi said she was delighted that the decision to create a flea market at the Library Gardens, an easily accessible area in the Polokwane Central Business District, has paid off.
“That particular area is always teeming with potential customers so we needed to locate the crafters and designers in such an area where many people would see their products,” Moloi explained.
Equally, crafters and designers were elated with this life changing move.
One of the crafters, Ngwanatheko Maserumule of Bakgobokani Arts and Crafts Company from Sekhukhune district, said she made R2 000 within minutes of setting up her products for display. “We really liked that spot. It was the first time they chose that venue, it was a great success and I hope they make it a permanent venue for the flea market. Everyone who displayed their work made a lot of money and I still have orders coming in from the exposure my products received,” said Maserumule who sells beadwork, traditionally inspired clothing, and cultural artefacts.
Moloi said the department has plans to help local designers and crafters, adding they drafted an arts and crafts catalogue which they are distributing to all government departments, municipalities and government entities, from which they can order products whenever they need to buy corporate gifts. She added the craft catalogue contains the details of various crafters and designers from Limpopo.
“We also met with the National Craft and Design Coordinating Body (NCDCB), through which various provincial and national government departments, provincial investment promotion agencies, the South African Bureau of Standards and artists collaborate to promote the artistry and we all agree we should help locals in every way possible,” Moloi continued.
She said the department will continue to explore other ways to link the crafters and designers with markets, both locally and internationally. Moloi added they are looking at busy spots in all the districts where they will create flea markets during month ends. “This is a multimillion Rand industry and, if properly supported, it will grow our province’s economy,” Moloi concluded.
