The Muizenberg Flea Market is an institution in the area. Every Sunday it draws crowds that amble through the myriad stalls in a slow treasure hunt, laughing, shopping and bargaining for the best prices they can.
Go hungry, the food stalls cater for all tastes, from salty hot chips to buttery corn, a plethora of sizzling meats and fresh-caught fish, to a mouth-watering selection of sweet treats, and the quintessential soft-serve ice cream van, with sugar cones and flakes at the ready.
It is also people watching at its ultimate best: a total cross-section of the community picks its way through the goods on offer.
Malikha de Louw is a regular visitor and says: “Still one of the best markets around. You can get so much for so little. Gotta try the waffle on a stick.”
Brian Mawdsley adds: “Get there early. Some cool entrepreneurs.”
Amirah Pillay gave the market five stars, saying: “Awesome place to get almost everything you need and chill with your family at the beach.”
Situated on Sunrise Circle, just off Muizenberg Beach, the market is a large open air experience.
The stalls are laden with goodies like second-hand books, plants, music, clothes, African artwork, electronics, kitchenware, jewellery, children’s toys, fresh fruit, nuts, bedding and second hand items.
Lucille Symons says she has plied her trade for more than 25 years at the market. “I used to sell plastics, but my suppliers went broke, so just in the last few months, I had to change direction. I now grow and sell these plants and cacti, and I have a different stall to before, and you know what? It’s been a good growth,” she says.
She says all the stall holders should learn from the Somali stall holders, who happily have stalls with similar products set up next to them. “I am very happy here.
“This is my livelihood. It was scary when the suppliers dried up, but the Lord blessed me with green fingers and now I am sharing that with everyone,” she says.
Hoosain and Amina Watson are renown for their stall selling books and bric-a-brac.
A regular customer of theirs, whose name I didn’t have the chance to ask, sent me to them for a photo of some of the original stall-holders in the market, saying they are his reason for getting out of bed on a sleepy Sunday morning.
Lorna and David Israel love meeting the tourists and locals alike. “Some weeks are better than others, but we always enjoy the people and the sun and the day,” Mr Israel said.
Miriam Bance says it is always worthwhile to set up and she enjoys selling her African art pieces from her stall – she says the people are mostly very friendly.
Shan Awaza sells biltong at the market.
He is a Fish Hoek resident and says he has regular customers at the market who have supported him for years.
Brandon Haupt tends the corner book store on the furthest corner from the entrance, and there is always a fabulous selection of reading material available – and shade. I have bought most of my Terry Pratchett books from him.
Dawn Clarke of Plumstead says the market is a great drawcard because of its diversity.
She tends to buy food, knitting materials, books and the occasional little treasure there. “Sometimes your eye catches a painting, a piece of artwork or something that you weren’t actually looking for, but which just speaks to you,” she says.
Pay it a visit, on Sundays, from 8am to 4pm.