Council gives go-ahead for Cape Town’s new Market Management Policy
Piece by James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, tabled the new Market Management Policy for adoption at the Council meeting held on 4 December. This policy will now be implemented to strengthen, expand, and better manage markets on City-owned land. It is designed to make it easier to do business, empower communities and operators, and unlock the full economic and social potential of markets across Cape Town.
‘This policy is a major step forward in our mission to create an enabling environment where local markets can flourish,’ said Alderman Vos. ‘By introducing clear governance models, improving access, and supporting the development of new and existing markets, we’re putting in place the kind of practical innovations that help businesses grow, help communities participate, and ensure these spaces become places of pride.’
The purpose of the Market Management Policy is to:
- Define governance and management models for markets on City-owned land, whether they are City-operated or run by external operators.
- Set out the City’s developmental approach for new market opportunities, including identifying suitable sites, guiding applications for new markets, and improving existing spaces through capacitation and effective management.
Council’s approval follows an extensive public participation process, including focused engagements and workshops with informal trader leadership.
‘Markets are more than trading spaces, they are vibrant hubs where neighbourhoods express their identity through food, craft, culture, and creativity. They support small businesses, create pathways for emerging entrepreneurs, and bring life to public spaces,’ said Alderman Vos.
‘But for too long, unclear processes or insufficient management structures have limited the potential of this sector. With this new policy, we are making it easier, more accessible, and more supportive for market operators to run these spaces in ways that make business sense while deepening community participation. This is how we grow local economies and create jobs.’
The policy forms part of the City’s broader efforts to boost economic growth, unlock investment, and ensure that Cape Town remains a place where businesses can succeed and communities benefit.
