Every month, the usually quiet corridors of Nkomo Village Mall in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, come alive with the colours, sounds and stories of local entrepreneurs.
SMMEs from Atteridgeville and Lotus Gardens gather not just to sell, but to grow.
The market, open to any local entrepreneur with a product to offer, is free from complicated criteria and gatekeeping.
It offers an open platform where makers, dreamers and self-starters can introduce their work to the community.
“It’s more than just selling. Even if you don’t make a lot of money that day, people learn about your brand,” said Katlego Rammusa, founder of Ant Thou Sluggard Book Store.
“Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing. Someone sees your product today, and next week they come back with a friend.”
For Rammusa, the market is not just about selling books, it is about sparking conversations.
His table is often lined with titles by African authors and rare finds that reflect local culture and global ideas.
“Our presence here challenges people to think differently about reading and storytelling,” he added.
Down the aisle, fashion designer Ntsika Mniki, founder of Oyenel Akistn, lays out his bold garment pieces that speak as much about his identity as they do about high fashion.
His designs, shaped by global influences like Thebe Magugu and Rick Owens, attract a curious crowd.
“My journey started with my grandmother. She was a designer herself, and she taught me to use fashion as a voice,” he explained.
“Over time, I moved from streetwear to avant-garde. This space lets me test those ideas in the real world.”
For small brands like Mniki’s, having direct access to customers is rare.
“It’s not every day you get to see how people react to your work. Here, I hear what they think, what excites them. That helps me grow.”
A few tables over, Nomsa Mkhabela, who runs a handmade skincare line, said the monthly market saved her business after a slow start.
“Before this, I was selling through WhatsApp and neighbours. At the mall, I reach new faces every time,” she said. “Now I have regulars who come back, and I’m learning how to talk about my products better.”
Beyond selling space, the initiative links entrepreneurs with free workshops at The Ark, focusing on branding, budgeting and business planning.
