The Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) Market has a new home, marking an exciting new chapter for one of Cape Town’s favourite community markets.
The new timber barn facility, located behind the Breakwater Parkade near the Cape Wheel, officially opened to the public during a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Saturday 6 December.
The market features custom-built, permanent structures designed specifically for OZCF.
Sheryl Ozinsky, co-owner, explains that the market’s story began after a series of home invasions in the Oranjezicht area. This prompted residents to look for ways to make their community safer and more liveable.
A neighbourhood watch formed in response, and during their patrols they discovered an old bowling green that had once been a farm over 300 years ago.
Ozinsky says they approached the City for help in transforming the neglected space into a neighbourhood farm that would bring agriculture back to Oranjezicht.
“So we asked the City if they would help us create a neighbourhood farm on the old bowling green that will bring the farms back into Oranjezicht. They agreed and 12 years ago we started the OZCF on the neglected bowling green.”
She explains that market started with humble beginnings.
“The market started small and then grew over the years. It arrived at the V&A Waterfront in a bakkie.”
Fast forward to 10 years later, the market provides livelihoods to thousands of people with over 100 vendors.
“Its desire is to help small entrepreneurs to showcase the best of Cape Town and the Western Cape in terms of products and fresh produce, baked goods, meat and fish.
Ozinsky believes the market is an alternative grocery provider.
“It is not only a market that sells prepared foods but desires to change the food system so that people can eat healthy food direct from farmers that are not sprayed full of chemicals. That’s organically grown, drive nutrition and help people reach their own potential.”
She says they are excited about the relocation.
“This is a new chapter, nothing is permanent and everything has a time. We now have different barns for the different offerings. We have a design barn for the clothing, deli barn for take home items, dog accessories, and a fresh produce barn.”
Ozinsky says that the food barn is a massive upgrade for the traders with extraction fans and running water
Ozinsky expressed her gratitude to the customers who supported them over the past decade.
“The market has survived because of the customers. They have shown up in rain, wind, in electricity cuts, during Covid and during the drought. The market is theirs. This is a Cape Town legacy.”
