The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Branch is offering an exciting opportunity for local informal traders to showcase and sell their products at the City’s Tygerberg Nature Reserve. This initiative aims to support small businesses and promote local economic development, particularly within the neighbouring communities of Bellville, Brackenfell, and Durbanville.
‘Registered informal traders, especially those offering locally produced, handmade, and artisanal goods are encouraged to apply for a trading spot at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve. This initiative will provide a platform for local entrepreneurs to reach new customers and will also enhance the visitor experience at the reserve.
‘The reserve offers a picturesque and well-frequented location, ideal for promoting and selling products to a wide audience of nature lovers and local visitors,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
Temporary trading spots will be made available for six months at a time. The first intake of ten traders will be from 1 July until 30 August 2025 at a cost of R100 for these two months outside of the peak season. The second intake will be from September 2025 until 28 February 2026 during the peak season at a cost of R1 050 for six months.
The reserve has ten spots available, and the applications will be dealt with on a first-come basis. The City will ensure there is no duplication in terms of the products on offer amongst the approved vendor applications. It is important to note that the sale of all alcoholic beverages; tobacco products; drug related food and beverages, as well as balloons will be prohibited.
Traders are encouraged to showcase a wide range of unique products. All the traders will be reviewed monthly to ensure compliance and quality standards.
Approved traders will be permitted to operate at the scenic Tygerberg Nature Reserve during the following hours:
- Weekdays: 07:30 – 17:00
- Weekends and public holidays: 07:30 – 18:00
All applications and trading enquiries should be sent to:
- Tshepo.mamabolo@capetown.gov.za and marisa.langton@capetown.gov.za as soon as possible or contact them at 021 4449871 at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve
- Applications must include clear photographs of the products and a detailed product description
Applicants must adhere to the following conditions:
- Food Safety: Vendors handling food must possess a valid health clearance certificate and comply with the Health Act, Act 63 of 1977. Additional environmental health regulations may apply.
- Fire Safety: Compliance with all fire safety requirements, including the safe use of gas cylinders and ensuring access for emergency vehicles, is mandatory.
- Environmental Impact: All activities must comply with the City nature reserve environmental by-laws concerning emissions and their effects on health and ecosystems.
For detailed information on applicable by-laws, please visit http://www.capetown.gov.za/bylaws for further information.
For residents who do not have a trading permit please see below:
If you would like to trade goods informally in public spaces in Cape Town, you must apply for an informal trading permit. Anyone who is unemployed and legally allowed to live in South Africa qualifies for a permit.
In order to qualify, you must be:
- an informal trader
- unemployed
- in good standing with the City of Cape Town
- If you are a foreign national, you will need to provide certified proof of your legal status to live and run your own business in South Africa.
If you are planning on selling or hawking food, then you will need to apply for a hawking business trading license as well as a certificate of acceptability:
- Before you can apply, you must register for e-services
- Once you have registered, you must activate the Informal Trading Bay service. To activate the service, you will need:
- your ID number
- your business partner number (which is found on your municipal account bill)
- a digital copy of your ID (scanned document)
- your own email address.
