GPS coordinates: lat: -29.852976 - lng: 31.016403

Markets Of Warwick

Address:

127 Johannes Nkosi Street, . Durban

Telephone:

031 309 3880

Description

Warwick Junction lies on the edge of the Durban’s inner-city and is the primary public transport interchange in the city. On an average day the area accommodates 460 000 commuters, and at least 6000 street vendors. Given the confluence of rail, taxi and bus transport, this area has always been a natural market for street vendors. The Markets of Warwick includes between 5000 and 8000 vendors trading in 9 distinct markets. Currently this is the only informally structured market in a public space of this magnitude, and thus establishes itself as the single most authentic African market that South Africa has to offer. The products available vary from beadwork, traditional arts and crafts, traditional cuisine, fresh produce, music and entertainment merchandise, clothing, accessories and traditional medicine.

Keywords

Accessories, Clothing, Music, Crafts, Taxis, Rail, Beadwork, Fresh Produce, Blackjack, Public Transport, Bus Transport, Traditional Medicine, Traditional Cuisine, Traditional Art, The Junction, Primary Public Transport, Black African Traders, Trading Locations, Transport Interchange, Entertainment Merchandise, Street Vendors

Company description

To appreciate the diversity and success of the markets today, the historical significance of the Warwick area is important. Steeped in racial discrimination, the Warwick area was neglected and abandoned by the apartheid government. It was initially Indian indentured labourers who began trading on the street sidewalks in this area, and for example, built the beautiful Badsha Peer Shrine which remains an iconic piece of architecture in Brook Street.
With the gradual influx of black African traders into the area, Warwick became a central hub of commerce and trading activity despite constant harassment by the apartheid police, the "blackjacks". It was only in the late 1980s that traders were given recognition for their economic contribution and granted permission to remain in specifically allocated trading locations on the streets. Since then trader committees have been established to work alongside the Municipality and various sector support organizations to create and maintain an effective informal trading location benefiting the traders and the 70, 000 – 100, 000 people who depend on these vendors’ income.
This tour is an initiative of the local traders to showcase their merchandise and the endemic and vibrant energy of their markets. These tours are made possible through the assistance of the NGO Asiye eTafuleni, and demonstrate how local informal traders can be successfully incorporated into urban spaces, benefiting not only the traders and their livelihood, but the local tourism industry as well.

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