16th Mariki Mark continues to grow for its learners

What began 16 years ago with a vision to support and uplift the learners of Mariki School for LSEN has grown into a much-anticipated annual event that reaches far beyond the school and its immediate community.

This year, the school proudly celebrates the 16th Mariki Mark, taking place from September 22 to 26, with the much-anticipated Gala Evening on September 21.

Over the past 16 years, the Mariki Mark has grown tremendously in size, reputation and quality.

What makes this growth special is that it’s driven by a simple, powerful purpose: to raise funds for the benefit, upliftment, and development of the school’s learners.

Mariki School for LSEN serves learners with diverse and complex needs.

The money from the Mariki Mark help the school provide opportunities, resources, and experiences that support learners’ wellbeing, development, and future.

Every contribution made at the market ultimately helps create a better environment and better opportunities for the special children entrusted to the school’s care.

A market that keeps getting better

The continued growth of the Mariki Mark is no coincidence. The school’s management and organising team are deeply committed to improving the market every year.

The team listens to visitors and exhibitors, considers their suggestions, examines what can be done differently, and continuously searches for ways to improve the experience.

The goal is to ensure that visitors return each year knowing that they can expect quality, variety, value and something new to discover.

This commitment has helped the Mariki Mark establish a reputation that now extends well beyond the local community.

Bringing South Africa to Mariki

One of the highlights of the Mariki Mark is the incredible range of exhibitors it attracts. Exhibitors travel from all over South Africa to be part of this special event.

The organising team takes great care in selecting exhibitors and products, ensuring that the market is stocked with the best quality products they can find.

Visitors can look forward to a variety of products, unique offerings and quality shopping experiences.

Exhibitors from different parts of the country have also contributed significantly to the growth and reputation of the Mariki Mark, making it an event people eagerly anticipate each year.

More than just a market

Although shopping is certainly part of the attraction, the Mariki Mark is about so much more, according to principal Santé Barnard.

“It is about community, generosity, opportunity and making a difference. It is about businesses and entrepreneurs travelling long distances to support the school’s cause. It is about families spending time together. It is about visitors choosing to support a school that works every day to give learners with special educational needs the opportunities they deserve. Most importantly, it is about the learners,” said Barnard.

Every purchase, every exhibitor, every sponsor, every visitor and every contribution helps the school continue investing in its learners and their future.

As the school celebrates 16 years of the Mariki Mark, it is immensely grateful to everyone who has helped make this journey possible.

The market’s growth is a testament to the trust and support of the community, exhibitors, sponsors, parents, and visitors.

But the organisers are not satisfied with simply repeating what they did last year.

The commitment is to make every Mariki Mark better than the last

Everyone is invited to join the school from September 22 to 26, and to share in the excitement of the Gala Evening on September 21.

Come and experience the 16th Mariki Mark. Shop with purpose, support with heart and help make a difference in the lives of the school’s learners.

Because at Mariki, every success has a greater purpose – the learners and their future.