Woven into the fabric of the Central City shopping experience are informal traders of all kinds. On a gift-buying excursion, City Views stopped to chat with some of the longest-standing stall keepers in the area.

Approximately 73% of people who pass through the Central City buy from informal traders. That’s according to a survey conducted by the CCID, the results of which were published in The State of Cape Town Central City Report: 2014 – A year in review. It’s no wonder, particularly at this time of year, as there are great items to be snapped up at the stalls in the CBD, which – together with formal retailers nearby – broaden your options to find the perfect gift.

Maureen Davies

Maureen has run the book stall on St Georges Mall near Castle Street intersection (alongside the CCID kiosk) for 15 years. She specialises in “Africana”, but you can find anything from philosophy to fiction and “hard to finds”. Says CCID fieldworker and loyal customer Mark Williams: “If she knows you, she’ll keep books aside that you might like.”

Nearby - Philip Zetler Jewellers: 54 St Georges Mall | www.philipzetlerjewellers.co.za | 021 423 2771

Samantha McDowell

From records, tapes and VHS video cassettes to DVDs, Blu-rays and PlayStation games, Samantha has sold music and video on Greenmarket Square since the early 1990s. She says new releases go like hot cakes but jazz – local and international – is always a top seller, followed by pop & rock. CDs go for a song at R20 to R45.

Nearby
African clothing curios and wooden items for sale in Greenmarket Square

Waqas Ahmad

Waqas specialises in Pakistani jewellery and handmade shoes. He has been based on St Georges Mall near Hout Street for 15 years.

Nearby
Edgars: Cnr Adderley & Hout streets | www.edgars.co.za | 021 480 2800

Bulent Satana

Turkish-born Bulent has been in South Africa for 20 years, 16 of which he’s spent trading on Church Street – one year after Brenda Scarrett founded the famous Church Street Antique Market. Before that he traded on Greenmarket Square. He sells jewellery (including signet rings), old coins, bric-a-brac and books, and his own store, Mario Designer Jewellers, is opposite his stall.

Snack time

Gift shopping is a hungry business. Take a break.

Amir Ali

Somalian Amir has been trading on Waterkant Street near the Lower Burg Street intersection since 2007. His stall is referred to as the “White House” – and you can stop in for chips, sweets and cooldrinks. Amir says nearby call centre staff in Picbel Parkade and Atterbury House are among his growing clientele and that he has learnt to speak Afrikaans and isiXhosa to his diverse range of customers.

Nearby
CNA: 9 St Georges Mall & Waterkant Street | www.cna.co.za | 021 421 3784
Golden Acre (home to over 100 shops): 1 Adderley St | www.facebook.com/GoldenAcreShoppingCentre | 021 425 7147

Hamied Bhawoodien

Hamied is the purveyor of “the best fruit in town”. These are not his words, but the opinion of several loyal customers (including a doctor) we spoke to. Hamied has traded in the CBD for 30 years and can now be located on St Georges Mall at the Riebeek Street intersection. He is at the Epping market at 04h00 every morning to buy produce and starts trading in the CBD at around 08h30. He says: “People phone me to find out where I am if I’m not here.”

Nearby
Clicks: Adderley St | https://clicks.co.za | 021 418 3504

Church Street Antique Market

According to mapmyway.co.za: “This bustling strip is home to an original assortment of street traders peddling their various wares. Among them queen of the vintage vendors, Brenda Scarrett, who for years ran the much loved Second Time Around shop in Long Street (which is still in business). Find Brenda on the corner of Long and Church streets, in front of her stall selling Cape memorabilia, jewellery and all sorts of quirky collectibles.”

Gifts for kids

Ma se Kinners

High-quality, locally made kids’ clothing and soft toys as well as ceramics, art and Christmas books are for sale at this funky store.

Shop 1c, Church St
083 982 1748

MSK Café

Situated next door to Ma se kinners, MSk Cafe offers a kiddiefriendly venue where you can host baby showers and tea parties.

Shop 1b, 1 Church St
083 982 1748

Merry Pop Ins

Second-hand clothing, furniture, toys and equipment for children up to 12 – Merry Pop Ins is for the budget-conscious parent with great taste.

201 Bree St
www.merrypopins.co.za
021 422 4911

Check out the 2016 edition of the Best of Cape Town Central City for a listing of formal retailers in the CBD.

This article first appeared in the summer 2015-16 issue of City Views. Read it online.

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‘Tis the season to go shopping