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Pensioner starts flea market for struggling businesses

'We are all human and we all need money to put food on the table. That made me think ... How could I help others?'

Louis Boshoff, a local pensioner, recently decided to start a Randfontein Flea Market to help others who might not be lucky enough to receive clients and exposure for their businesses.

“We are all human and we all need money to put food on the table. That made me think … How could I help others?”

He said he looked at different ways that people could earn an income, and most needed a fair amount of capital to generate income – and that is where the market idea came to mind.

“I operate under the name Project 67 Job Creation, deriving it from the 67 minutes for Mandela Day because we should never ignore when we can help others, even if it takes more than 67 minutes.”

He explained that he managed to get a group of stall owners together, most still not having enough funds to start a stall of their own, but they are working towards collecting items to put up a stall.

The Randfontein Flea Market at Tambotie Mall. Photo submitted.

Louis added that they had their first market, an Easter market at Tambotie Mall from Friday, 2 April until Sunday, 4 April.

“I am happy to say that it went very well,” he said.

Through the market, Louis wants people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and give them an opportunity of earning an income.

“We have to pay the mall for the grounds, but they are opening a lot of doors for struggling individuals, that is why we charge stall owners R75 per day, which they are happy to pay.”

Goods for sale at the Randfontein Flea Market. Photo submitted.

He explained that the stall owners start unpacking as early as 6.30am and pack up from about 3pm but some, however, choose to stay longer because they want to earn as much as possible.

Lenette Nordin from Tambotie Mall Central Management said the first attempt at the market went well and the stall owners made money.

“We have decided to have the market every first and last weekend of the month to see how it grows, and we are going to try and have night markets as well,” said Lenette.

The next market will be on Saturday, 24 and Sunday, 25 April as well as Saturday, 1 and Sunday, 2 May.

If anyone is interested in joining the market they can contact Louis on 081 795 2040.

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