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Reflecting South Africa’s diversity through art and crafts
V&A Waterfront Craft Market, Cape Town
The V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
© Dianne Tipping-Woods
Did you know?
The South African government has identified the craft industry as a key sector to help lift South Africans out of poverty.
Cape Town's Waterfront Craft Market has a reputation as one of South Africa's best art and craft venues. Entrepreneurs make and sell their hand crafted products at over 120 stalls.
Products on offer at this Cape Town craft market include functional as well as decorative items that exhibit a number of local influences. Artists and crafters make use of South African materials, techniques and traditions in their work, often with a funky contemporary twist.
You can find handbags inspired by Zulu beadwork, lampshades made of recycled wire and tin and jewellery crafted out of local stones and seeds. Look out for Xhosa-inspired clothing designs, paintings of local landscapes and wildlife and traditional carvings made from wood, stone, bone and ostrich eggs. You'll also find ceramics that reflect the textures of South Africa, basketry woven from local reeds and grasses, candles scented with African oils and glasswork that reflects the colours of the rainbow nation. Also look out for beauty products made from local ingredients - like organic honey and rooibos tea - including scrubs, masks and anti-aging creams.
The Waterfront craft market also sells items from beyond South Africa's borders - like semi-precious stones from the copper mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, antique Ethiopian silver artefacts and, Zimbabwean batiks.
Some stalls are also functioning studios where you can see people at work - or even commission unique arts and crafts. South African stall holders include hobbyists who have turned professional as well as representatives of co-operatives or work groups made up of previously disadvantaged crafters who have the chance to market their products at the Waterfront.
In fact, this Cape Town craft market is a good example of local micro business development. Entrepreneurs are able to confidently move from trading 2 days a week, to 7, as their businesses grow.
A recent addition to the craft market is the Waterfront Wellness Centre. It offers holistic lifestyle products and treatments for both physical and spiritual health - from reflexology, Indian head massage, shiatsu, aromatherapy massage to the new locally developed African Vunkuwa massage technique.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
How to get here
From the airport, exit and continue for about 3km. Then merge onto the N2 highway. Follow the N2 Stad / City signs. After about 18km move into the lane with the M6 / Seapoint / Waterfront sign. Turn right at the traffic light into Main Gate of the V&A Waterfront.
Around the area
You are right next door to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
What will it cost
You will find items ranging in price from R10 to R1000.
What to eat
The Waterfront has a range of restaurants, cafes and take-aways to choose from. Fresh fish is always a good choice.
What's happening
The Waterfront runs many events during the year. Check their website for more details.