Oranjezicht Market Blueprint: Why SA needs hundreds more farmers’ markets

One of only a handful of farmers’ markets in South Africa, the Oranjezicht City Farmers’ Market (OCFM) has begun a new chapter in its permanent home at the V&A Waterfront.

For co-founder Sheryl Ozinsky, who with her partner Cas Friedmann has spent the last two years planning the relocation, the move marks far more than a change of address.

Having championed organic urban food markets since receiving approval from the City of Cape Town almost 12 years ago to launch the original OCFM, Ozinsky sees the potential for creating a repeatable and scalable model that can work for small farmers and local communities nationwide. 

‘SA needs a Ministry of Food’

OCFM has spent years proving that farmers’ markets are not lifestyle projects, but viable businesses that connect producers directly with consumers, improve access to healthy food and strengthen local economies.  

The V&A Waterfront has invested significantly in the market’s permanent home as part of its R20 billion Granger Bay development. However, despite OCFM’s proven track record, Ozinsky says securing local investment for expansion was not easy.  

The team sought independent investors but found no local backers. Instead, support came from a London-based, family-run investment company that backs more than 250 startup IP companies. The OCFM marks this their first-ever investment in an organic food market. To date, the family has invested more than R20 million. 

According to Ozinsky, the backing is not about profit extraction, but trust in a model designed to serve people, not just foot traffic. 

While the V&A Waterfront presents an enormous opportunity, it reinforces why scale cannot simply mean bigger markets, but rather more markets. 

The Waterfront site, Ozinsky explains, acts as a flagship - a proof of concept - but not all markets would need to be this fancy. The real opportunity lies in many smaller, community-based markets, supported by shared knowledge, training, mentorship and systems. 

While there are ministries dedicated to health, education, and housing, there is no formal focus on food, which is why OCFM believes South Africa needs a national farmers’ market coalition.

“Yet food underpins all human development. Investing in access to fresh food reduces healthcare costs, improves learning outcomes and strengthens communities,” says Ozinsky.  

Looking globally, she points to cities where access to fresh food is an integral part of urban life.

“In Barcelona, no resident is more than 20 minutes from a market. New York City has over 500 markets. Similar coalitions exist across the US and Europe, where markets collaborate rather than compete, sharing systems, standards and advocacy.”

“If South Africa had 50 or 100 markets modelled on OCFM’s principles, small farmers would have consistent routes to market and communities would have access to fresh food within walking distance."

What you need to know about the new V&A location:

The market now offers improved access connected directly to the main wharf, secure undercover parking and upgraded facilities for traders, including extraction systems, grease traps and wash-up areas.

Just minutes from the temporary site it occupied for the past decade, the purpose-built timber barn, constructed by Evermine Timbers and overseen by local architect Sean Mahoney, has transformed a concrete parking structure into a warm and welcoming space.

The choice of timber reflects a future-focused approach to construction, combining sustainability with safety and rigorous standards, according to David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.

The building was designed with full compliance to City regulations and oversight, including advanced fire detection and sprinkler systems to meets all relevant health and safety requirements.

“We are really blessed in Cape Town that our fire safety is incredibly serious. We really have had to up the levels and sprinkler systems. From a fire safety point of view, I wouldn’t be concerned at all,” adds Green. 

Need to know before you go:

Opening times

Wednesday nights: 4pm–9pm

Saturday: 8am–2pm

Sunday: 8.30am–2pm

Entry: Free

Time Out tip: Go early! The market fills up fast during breakfast and lunch. Park in Breakwater Parking 4 and take the lift in the Breakwater Point Building (Mr Price and Toys “R” Us) to the top floor.