Two young entrepreneurs were excited to win the prize for the Entrepreneur of the Day at the Youth Pocket Money Market, held at the V&A Waterfront on Youth Day, Saturday June 16.
All that Onias Gadziwa, 12, and King Mhlota, 10, from Fish Hoek, could say was: “We are very happy that we won.”
Their stall, O and K Trading, where they sold beads and plants, was one of 26 stalls at the market, where children from the ages of four to 16 sold an array of goods ranging from art and crafts to food and jewellery and Father’s Day gifts.
There were also a number of children busking, and guitarist Gabriella Webb was named Busker of the Day.
What made this year’s Youth Day market extra special was the fact that 50 of the children participating were from homes for
vulnerable youngsters, or orphanages.
Market organiser Lisa Wilson, said she was grateful that people had come out in their numbers to support the children. She started the programme because she felt poor education and poverty were to blame for most of the country’s social ills, including crime and substance abuse.
The market nurtures entrepreneurship in children in the hope that more South Africans will be able to be self sufficient.
This is the second time that the market was held at the V&A Waterfront, which is a step closer to Ms Wilson’s wish to become a regular, as the space provided “great foot traffic” and good earnings.
Miss Pre-Teen South Africa, Keegan-Lee Croy, 11, was also seen at the market.
“It’s nice to see children making money, and enjoying themselves while they are at it,” she said.
Her grandmother, Daphne Croy, said they invited Keegan to the market to represent Miss SA and as an example of what children could achieve.
“She is involved in a lot of charity work with the youth, and she knows that a large part of pageantry is giving back. She was already talking about taking the idea of eco-bricks back to the community, and used the bricks to make a stage for the girls in the community to model on.”
Beauty, a stall run by three sisters, Benita, 12, Aurelie 11 and Trinity Morse,10, won the award for Stall of the Day, having made the most profit.
The girls sold sticker art and Kokedama plants.
Their mother, Marita, said she was very proud of her girls.
“They want to have a farm, and a beauty salon and all these
wonderful things when they grow up.
“They are very close, so they want to do it all together.”
Aurelie said she and her sisters saved most of their money because they would love to own a restaurant one day – and a farm because they love animals.
Jacey Everts, 10, from Parow, sold milkshake cupcakes individually wrapped and packed. She said her aunt told her about the market and she made all the cupcakes herself.
“I’m going to donate the money to the homeless people so that they can buy food and blankets,” she said.
Cameron Els, 16, sold dog treats at the market. The Grade 9 pupil from Thornton said he loved dogs and loved to spoil his two dogs, which was why he chose to start making dog biscuits.
There were a number of events as well, including a lucky draw, talks by the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Cape Town Hotel School and a “wake up, shake up” by Junior Jive.
For more information on the market, visit pocketmoneymarket.com