The BCT car boot sale and Bunny Park Food Craft Market continues to play a significant role for locals looking to make some money and those searching for a bargain.
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It was no different on February 25 when the traders displayed their wares and hundreds keenly eyeballed the items.
Frequented by senior traders, young people have now caught the bug as they try to make ends meet because of the high youth unemployment rate in the country.
The latest quarterly labour force survey released by Statistics South Africa on February 28 revealed that youth aged between 15 and 24 and 25 to 34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates of 61% and 39.9%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of last year.
It is, for this reason, the youth now have to explore different avenues of making money.
The newspaper caught up with young people at the car boot sale and craft market, who admitted they were feeling the pinch because of the unemployment situation in South Africa.
First-year college student Meagan Donker from Edenvale, who sold items such as sweets, toys and biltong, encouraged her peers to try multiple ways of making a living.
“I’m trying to earn money as a college student.
“The economy is very bad, and my generation is heavily affected by this.
“We are definitely feeling the pinch as young people, so I’m trying to make as much money as I can to get by,” she said.
In her spare time, Donker dabbles in graphic design and photography. She said this helps her get by every month.
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“Try multiple things. If you have an idea, just do it.
“The worst that can happen is that if it doesn’t work you can always try something different. That’s what I’ve always had to do.”
Rynfield resident Michael Smith, who sells handmade goods, including sculptures and figurines, shared Donker’s sentiments, saying the youth should learn new crafts.
“As young people, we must always try our best to find all the different avenues of making money.
“Try to be ambitious, learn new crafts and, importantly, explore different industries. If something doesn’t work out, see if you can find ways to fix it,” said Smith.
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The next market is on March 25 at the Bunny Park.
For food and craft market bookings, contact Janine on 072 713 3332 or email info@craftsinthepark.co.za. For the City Times car boot sale bookings, email Immaculate at Immaculatem@caxton.co.za or call 062 591 8988.
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