Collecting one-of-a-kind African items at Joburg’s Bryanston Market

Africa is gifted with markets where a wide range of products, including creative arts and crafts, await to be marveled at by art lovers or purchased by art buyers. This story is well out there, whether it’s in cities, towns, or rural areas, and tourists who visit these places always have some souvenirs or something to take back home.

 In Johannesburg’s Bryanston Market, situated in the leafy suburb of Bryanston, tourists eager to walk about a single, well run and stocked market with one-of-a-kind items get spoilt for choice and are likely to return for more!

The market website also has an online shop where products are available to those buyers who prefer to buy from the comfort of their own homes or offices or locations. This virtual approach is an answer to unlocking the South African and African tourism industry in the new year and the new normal.

On their website the market boasts of its long history dating back almost a decade of service and product excellence: “Tried and trusted for 44 years, Bryanston Market is a magical place, inspired crafts, wholesome food, unique crafts synonymous with quality and artistry.”

Indeed one needs to make the effort to visit the place and walk around its multilayered displays to feel and touch the wide range of products on offer.

Conveniently located, the market is accessible by road and within walking distance from near-buy and surrounding homesteads, is uplifting and one can feel the pulsating array of products on display, making it indeed a place of magical experiences.

After a long wait as a result of the holidays, punctuated by a lockdown that restricted gatherings, the market’s management, and stallholders recently opened again on Thursday 14 January, to its traditional and old customers and friends. 

Home to a diverse range of vendors who trade in some of the most authentic items and even rare to find collectibles, the venue’s opening to the public for the first time this year, made a huge difference in a time when most businesses have ceased operations for good or are temporarily closed. 

As the year starts and progresses, there is no doubt that all the best shopping experiences are to be wished throughout the year. The market is also looking forward to offering the most memorable service, in another twelve months of hope and new normal beginnings for all who visit it in search of the best outdoor experiences available in Johannesburg and the diverse country of South Africa in general.

There are many things to do when at Bryanston Market, and with its ability to stay open every for most of the day, on specifically Thursdays and Saturdays, and during Public holidays, visitors are assured of being accommodated to get the best walk-about and purchases.

 The market also comes with delicious food stalls that range from some of the rarest organics to be found around.

Among the most attractive services for the bustling market is that the fresh food can be delivered, but only within a 20km radius of the market.

Customers have the choice to order from a variety of offerings such as frozen ready-made meals, African heritage tea which is indigenous and uplifting among others.

In a time of the Covid 19 pandemic when the talk of building immunity is at its peak, visitors can enjoy buying food that they can boost their immunity and will find that the bulk of the market’s products are well branded and professionally packaged for the discerning visitor.

It wouldn’t be good to talk of Bryanston Market without mentioning some of its stallholders who strive to make it tick and to contribute to the broader lively, professional, healthy, and happy environment.

One of these stallholders is the eponymous Pienaarsrust Boutique Estate, which owner run and managed by Marthinus Pienaar and his family, who make the experience at the market something to look forward to, uniquely distinguished by a personal touch not seen anywhere.

Beyond Pienaarsrust Boutique Estate’s world-class personal, this business is renowned for bringing the farm to various people and homes, whatever product they select from the almost endless range they make and is readily available.

Perceptive lovers of organic food will find the Pienaarsrust Boutique Estate’s product range of unique cold-pressed medium Extra Virgin Olive oil to butters, infused oils, olives, olive leaf teas, fresh farm preserves, and body scrubs, that make their way immediately and fresh from their farm.

It seems everything from the estate is made for the ultimate mouth-watering memories, and this is underlined by the authenticity of products including fruit, nut, and mainly their signature Coratina and Frantoia calamata trees.

 Whether you’re are an international tourist or from within the neighbourhood, a visit to the market will always bring you close and personal with some of the best one-of-a-kind experiences for everyone, from art pieces, through jewellery, and to curios and more.

Though Nomad Africa sent questions via email that were not replied to, we had to do a bit of research to find out what other media have had to say about this great market place. One of the community newspapers quoted Glenda Moore, Head of Operations, saying “It is wonderful to see the market come live again.”

Indeed the market’s coming alive is a boon to the tourism industry in greater Johannesburg, South Africa as well as the improvement of the entire African continent’s, currently reeling under the pandemic, though positives are coming from vaccines that are being discovered globally.

Besides free parking and entry, there is more to the visitor that sets this jewel of a market a distance from the many markets apart. It seems the truth is just in visiting it and help it and the local tourism industry to come alive, at a time when we need all the industries to fully operate and help South Africa and the continent’s economies to recover.   

Visitors to Bryanston Market should not be afraid of exposing themselves to the Covid 19 virus, as according to a local media house already alluded to above, “The market continues to adapt to create a safe environment for the community following all Covid 19 regulations.”

The domestic tourist or those flying in from far, won’t regret enlisting Bryanston Market in the itinerary, not only for ordering frozen ready-made meals, African heritage tea, which is indigenous, but also, one is assured of experiencing much more.

The market’s diverse range of stallholders who trade in some of the most authentic items makes sure your travel, and living experiences are memorable, long after you have left.