To market, to market, to Cape Town Market we go

STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSET MANAGEMENT, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS.

Yesterday, Wednesday, 22 July 2020, I was accompanied by the MEC for Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer and his head of Ministry, and we went on a site visit to the Cape Town Market. This visit follows Council’s approval for the City to commence negotiations with the Cape Town Market (Pty) Ltd to potentially enter into a long-term lease of the facility to the market operating company.

It was especially comforting to note all the COVID-19 safety measures that the Market has put in place. These include additional entrances, sanitiser stations and separated trading floors. Their efforts have ensured that the market has continued to operate throughout these trying times to the benefit of the large and small trader. It has also ensured continuity of this vital food chain.

I was particularly pleased that our discussions with the market management team, the Agriculture Ministry representatives and the City officials revealed our common purpose and priority: to grow and expand the capacity of this regional facility to enable increased product flow and in turn support job creation in the agricultural sector. The Cape Town fresh produce market is an essential link in the food chain.

The Cape Town Market is one of the oldest and largest fresh produce markets in South Africa. The Minister agreed that the decision taken in 2002 to privatise the Cape Town Market set it firmly on the path to becoming a world-class institution while incorporating the micro trader and building social cohesion into its future architecture.

Agriculture contributes 11% to the Western Cape’s GDP and includes 17% of the province’s labour force. Produce from the Western Cape makes up almost half of South Africa’s agricultural exports with 46%, and generates a total income of R21 billion. The Minister welcomed the news that 20% of the market’s produce is for export. The Western Cape Government’s goal is to grow its exports by 5% over the next five years. A 5% growth will lead to the creation of 19 000 direct jobs.

The City commends the market company on their resilience, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for food security.

The Minister emphasised the role the Cape Town Market can play in shifting the focus away from food relief to the more sustainable food security. He appealed  to the Cape Town Market to join him in changing the narrative about agriculture in South Africa. We can do so by embracing and promoting the #ForTheLoveOfAgriculture campaign, which aims to promote the sector.