Oranjezicht City Farm Market's exciting new chapter at V&A Waterfront
Oranjezicht City Farm Market founder and co-owner Sheryl Ozinsky, V&A Waterfront chief executive officer David Green, and Mayor Geording Hill-Lewis eat some litchies at the relaunched venue of the market, at the Waterfront, Breakwater Pavilion, roof top level.
Image: Fouzia van der Fort
The more than decade-old Oranjezicht City Farm Market (OZCF) settled in at its new venue at the corner of Granger Bay Boulevard and Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, at the Breakwater Pavilion, on Saturday, December 6.
Waterfront chief executive officer David Green said that it is rated among the top ten farmers' markets in the world.
Founder and co-owner of the market, Sheryl Ozinsky, said the move marked a significant milestone in the market’s 12-year journey - beginning as a small community food garden in Oranjezicht, promoting local food, culture, and community through urban agriculture. ("New chapter for market", Atlantic Sun, November 27).
She said back then: "A whole market fit into my car".
It started with Ms Ozinsky and her partner Caz Friedmann being attacked in their home, in Oranjezicht, as she tried to connect with neighbours and attempted to make her home area safer, she said.
She enquired about patrols and how many crimes were committed daily in the area, but no one had answers. "I got some people together, started a neighbourhood watch.
"I noticed an old neglected bowling green, did some research that was once a farm, belonging to the Van Breda family for 200 years, called Oranjezicht, 'You are orange', because they could see the oranje bastion of the castle," she said.
They had made the neighbourhood safer with the patrols and then they wanted to bring the community together.
"And what better way than with food. Everyone wants to eat, whether you're Mamma in the township or Mrs Viljoen living in Oranjezicht," she said.
The plot was then allotted to them by the City of Cape Town. They started cultivating a garden, and the market community grew, having to keep up with supply and demand.
Two years later, they moved to the V&A Waterfront.
Today, the market supports more than 40 local farmers and 80 artisanal food traders.
"To celebrate and honour our fathers, to celebrate and honour our makers - they are awesome. They are world class but they're not given a platform. This is our job now. To stand up for the small guy. To stand up for the small entrepreneur. To give them a canvas. To give them the space," she said.
The market attracts 8000 to 12000 visitors each weekend, she said, and is a hub for promoting local food systems and innovative retail practices, including efforts to reduce food waste and plastic use.
The OZCF is also a hub of innovation with volunteer and workshop programmes, and provides certified organic produce straight from the farm.
Ms Ozinsky said that they provide critical infrastructure and business support, helping vendors reach restaurant and retail customers while fostering entrepreneurial growth.
It is recognised globally, including being named one of the top 20 farmers’ markets worldwide by The Independent (UK).
Since 2017 the market has operated independently using the OZCF brand under license, and is continuing its strong ties with the farm.
The market is open every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, Sunday 8.30am to 2pm and Wednesday night from 4pm until 9pm. For more information, visit https://ozcf.co.za/.