Following months of bureaucratic red tape and back-and-forths with Stellenbosch Municipality, beloved Dorp Street Sunday Market is bidding its final farewell – for now, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Taking to its social media platforms on Tuesday, 18 March, the Dorp Street Market team delivered its announcement ‘with great sadness’, adding that ‘the constant red tape and obstacles have made it clear to [them] that the market is not welcome here.’
’As you may recall, we announced our return in December 2024, but unfortunately, we have faced numerous challenges since then,’ said the organizers.
Picture: Sourced
‘Despite getting our application approved three months ago, the events committee of Stellenbosch Municipality has refused to give us their approval for our 2025 application, which is a duplicate of the 2024 application, which we were approved on.’
Emphasizing their argument, the organizers added the following points:
- The only difference in the application is the updated dates for 2025
- There is a two-month gap between their 2024 and 2025 application, without having received any written complaints from any Municipality department
- There was zero changes in the events by-laws during this time
Thus, after asking ‘on what grounds can we be refused?’, the organizers were left with little alternatives other than shutting the market down, with the hopes of ‘someday’ returning.
Like fuel to a fire, the organizers added that the team also faced several roadblocks from other departments and individuals within the municipality.
‘We’ve done everything possible and knocked on the door of numerous departments, yet we still get turned down around every corner,’ the Dorp Street Sunday Market team said.
‘We are disappointed that despite our efforts, politics and the need for power have once again hindered us from providing a platform for local businesses and ultimately creating more jobs,’ the organisers added, saying the final closure is not only unfair to them but to the vendors, local business owners and restaurant managers who have been involved with the market.
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‘We want to thank you all for your support and participation in the past and hope that someday, we will be able to return to the vibrant street market atmosphere we all created together as a community,’ concluded the announcement.
Picture: Sourced
The market, known for its eclectic mix of handmade goods, vintage clothing,m and artisanal food, has drawn locals and tourists alike to the historic street for years, creating a vibrant community atmosphere.
According to comments from market representatives, the municipality provided no written objections during the four-month application process but ultimately refused the renewal.
They cited that Dorp Street is not designated for informal trading and emphasised the need to identify suitable areas for such activities within Stellenbosch.
The decision affects over 100 small business owners and artisans who depend on the market for income. Market representatives argue that the refusal could lead to economic losses for both vendors and nearby restaurants. They questioned the timing of the decision, given that the market, which began as a small community gathering, had grown significantly but always operated on municipal land.
In response, the municipality noted that while the market had expanded into a formal operation, it did so without an open bidding process for the use of municipal property.
A temporary setup has been arranged at a nearby courtyard, but the market’s long-term location remains undecided.
Article originally published by Cape Town ETC.
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