Vella Nyoni
POLOKWANE – CONSUMERS in Polokwane have been spoiled for choice during a once-off flea market experience hosted by the Polokwane Municipality recently.
Exhibitors from the city and surrounding areas were given an opportunity to showcase their goods, which included confectionaries, jewellery and artifacts.
One of the exhibitors at the flea market was Joyce Shilangu from Joytsaka Baking and Catering based in Ladanna.
Shilangu retired from her job a few months ago and started her catering company not only to support herself but to create jobs. She sells muffins, a variety of cakes and scones.
Other exhibitors at the flea market were Mmbadaligu Azwiangwi and Sarah Ramahlo from the Seda Limpopo jewellery incubation (SLJI). They are jewellery specialists who make affordable beads from metal and silver. “With our business, the idea is to help empower young people by teaching them how to make jewellery and sell it at cheaper rates,” said Ramahlo. They have been manufacturing beads from scratch since 2009 and they are now involved in a learnership, which has been running since the beginning of the year.
Consumer Phina Mokoena supported local businesses. “I love beaded work because I can see that these women worked so hard to make these.”
The flea market follows global entrepreneurship week, which was held in November last year. Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the aim was to help young people establish their businesses. “The flea market will also provide the much needed entertainment for our visitors in Polokwane,” she said.
