It’s Time For KAMERS/Makers In Pretoria

PHOTOS Charl Du Preez STYLING Nicky Myburgh WORDS Amelia Brown

KAMERS/Makers, South Africa’s biggest pop-up retail market, continues to put local talent on the map.

The first pop-up gift market in 2003, then called Kamers vol Geskenke, saw just 40 makers set up in a few kamers of a Stellenbosch house and drew 800 visitors. Today, KAMERS/Makers features more than 600 exhibitors across its four national events, and drew a record-breaking crowd of 12 000 to the Joburg event earlier this year. KAMERS/Makers has helped many artisans to launch their products into the retail market.

The latest initiative, Mzansi Makers, seeks to support and up-skill fledgling creative entrepreneurs. The NGO sources, mentors and showcases talented makers from previously disadvantaged communities, and trains them to make items such as macramé plant hangers and mosaics under the Mzansi Makers label in the hope that they will establish themselves independently.

Five new Mzansi projects will be showcased at the next instalment at Southdowns College in Irene, Pretoria. On 4 December KAMERS/Makers will host a special opening night in aid of the MAD Leadership Foundation from 4pm until 8pm (tickets cost R150), while the market itself will run from 5 – 10 December from 9am until 5pm daily.

Tickets cost R60 on plankton.mobi with available group discounts and R80 at the entrance, which includes a limited edition KAMERS/Makers shopper bag and magazine. Multiple entry tickets available at R120. Students and pensioners pay R60 and those under 18 enter for free.

Browse a selection of products online at shop.kamersvol.com. For more information about the event, visit kamersvol.com.