Mayor opens major new informal trading hub at Masiphumelele Gateway Market
05 May 2026
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially cut the ribbon on a major new informal trading infrastructure at the City’s Masiphumelele Gateway Market. The Mayor was joined by Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.
The site will accommodate approximately 57 informal trading opportunities, including kiosks, food preparation areas, an office block, parking, public seating, and more. Five of the kiosks are also large enough to establish a light manufacturing small business.
‘We are thrilled to open this wonderful new traders’ market, which connects and serves the communities of Masiphumelele, Kommetjie, Ocean View and surrounds. For years, this trading site has been an undignified trading space - messy, muddy, and without basic amenities for traders and customers alike. Not to mention an eyesore. This is all now well and truly resolved, with a lovely, dignified trading market that brings dignity to traders and residents. This upgrade forms part of ongoing trading facility improvements across the city to the tune of over R400m in this term of office,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
Construction of the market came after extensive engagements with both informal traders and community stakeholders. The first round of vendor applications is currently being processed, with trading set to begin this month.
‘We aim to not just provide safe, dignified and well-operated trading spaces but to make sure that the requirements of local traders, businesses and residents can be met. Masiphumelele is one of several market trading projects the City has completed in the last year. Others are Bo-Kaap Market, the Wallacedene Container Market, Somerset West Trading Kiosks, Macassar Trading Structure, and the upgrade of the Happy Valley Uluntu Plaza Kiosk and Seaforth Trading,’ said Alderman Vos.
Further developments are under way at sites including the 4th Avenue Market in Mitchells Plain and Vuyani Public Transport Interchange.
‘We are carefully proceeding with a considered approach for market developments and upgrades all over Cape Town. These projects purposefully centre the various and specific needs of our different communities while simultaneously strengthening a network of traders, entrepreneurs and small businesses that fuel economic growth,’ said Alderman Vos.
Caption 1: Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis addressing the audience at the Masiphumelele Market launch.
Caption 2: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, addressing the audience at the Masiphumelele Market launch.
Caption 3: Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, with councillors, traders and community members at the Masiphumelele Market launch.
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Caption 4: Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman James Vos celebrating the launch of the Masiphumelele Market.
Caption 5: Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman James Vos with traders at the Masiphumelele Market launch. An aerial view of the Masiphumelele Market.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
