KAMERS has grown over the past 13 years, to become a showcase of the innovation and hand-crafting talents of entrepreneurs from around our country. KAMERS opened in Cape Town yesterday, at the Castle of Good Hope, which celebrates its 350th anniversary this year, and runs until Sunday. It probably is our country’s largest pop-up market, and was the first to create this trend! 

The latest KAMERS is different, the biggest change being that it has become cashless. Not even a cup of coffee can be paid for in cash, and we experienced some hold-ups in that the credit card payments take much longer, and created longer queues at the most popular stands.  Oddly one is not warned about the cashless KAMERS, but one knows about it as soon as one goes to the first stand. The media statement of KAMERS informs that ABSA is a new sponsor, providing technology to make KAMERS cashless, ‘giving our traders and shoppers a taste of just how quick and easy banking is becoming!’  I am not sure whether traders and customers experienced the claimed benefit of the cashless shopping, both parties complaining about this new system.

New traders are regularly introduced at KAMERS. Darling Sweet is one of them, a colorful toffee range made in Darling, our country’s butter capital.  Their product range includes Tannie Evita’s Classic Toffee, Honey & Salt Toffee, Sour Fig Toffee, Red Wine & Chocolate Toffee, Orange & Pomegranate Toffee, Liquorice Toffee, and Ormonde Wines Toffee. Packaging is made from recycled paper, and the products are handmade.

Wanda du Toit (left), a co-owner of KAMERS, says that every quarter they interview potential new traders, and they have an enviable waiting list of 200 entrepreneurs. KAMERS is encouraged by the vast numbers of ‘talented, ingenious, enterprising people‘ around the country. The KAMERS Young Entrepreneurs Programme allows up to 12 young traders under the age of 28 years, and being in business for less than a year, to be included in each KAMERS. One such Young Entrepreneur is Paul Whitehead, an architecture student from Bloemfontein, who has created timber bow ties made from recycled wood under the Major John brand name.

For the first time there was no brochure detailing which traders are in each venue. I could not find this information on the website either. The food stands are on a terrace as one enters the first Castle courtyard, and traders include Saltare MCC sparkling wines, West Coast Oysters, The Flying Pig charcuterie, My Basaar, Love Pizza, Darling Sweet, Short & Curly’s, Magnificent Barista Boys, Ma Mère Confections (macarons), and Tulip Coffee. I overheard a discussion between a client and a trader, the former saying that there was little food suitable for children at KAMERS this year.

The KAMER trader categories include stationery, decor, fashion, kitchenware, accessories, body products, art works, kidswear and toys, books, jewellery, ceramics, bedroom products, organizers, shoes, outdoor products, and wrapping items.

Music has become a part of KAMERS. On Friday afternoon Amy Ayanda, Lucy Kruger, and Robin Auld will perform on the kykNET stage from 17h00. On Saturday Odwa Bongo and Paige Mac perform from 12h30.

KAMERS shoppers are advised to bring their loaded credit cards, as well as comfortable shoes, as the Castle of Good Hope terrain is hard on the feet. Construction work is taking place at The Castle, making it difficult to see the arches leading to the marquee in the second courtyard.

Disclosure:   I was an invited guest of KAMERS.

KAMERS, Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town. www.kamersvol.com Twitter: @kamersvol.   Instagram: @kamersvol. 1 – 5 June.  Wednesday – Saturday 9h00 – 17h00, Sunday 9h00 – 15h00. Entrance R70.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog  Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage  Facebook:  click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein