Country hospitality rules at Vaalwater’s new Farmers’ Market

On 25 September, our little town of Vaalwater in the Waterberg, Limpopo, held its first farmersʼ market to sell our great homegrown produce and to showcase the work of local artists, crafters and businesses that form part of this warmhearted bushveld community.

At sunrise, cyclists set off on a 90km race through the bushveld, and soon the market was abuzz with people chatting, children playing, musicians performing and food sizzling. Folks came from near and far, overjoyed to get together again under the sunny, bushveld sky. More than 30 stalls sold a wide variety of wares – delicious homemade food and treats, knives, jams, fruit and veg, clothes, toys, plants and leather goods.

Inside the hall, local artists like Elizabeth Hunter, Clive Walker, Joanne Roolvink and Rosemary Forster-Towne chatted with visitors, many of whom took beautiful works away with them. The Waterberg Living Museum, Waterberg Wildlife Association and Ground Hornbill Project also had exhibits on their valuable work in conservation.

A makeshift stage hosted local musicians and singers for most of the day. Later they all jammed together and created new songs. Meanwhile a volleyball tournament kicked off in the heat of midday and through the afternoon, with the finals played as the sun began to set.

After this great start, we plan to have plenty more farmersʼ markets.