Shongweni Farmers
& Craft Market
Upon a hill in the Shongweni Valley, overlooking the majestic Kirk Falls — a buzz of activity every Saturday morning.
Up and coming events
The music, the moments, and the special guests coming up at the market.
This week's maker in the spotlight
Every Friday we shine a light on a maker from the market. Catch up on the latest stories below.
Instagram Feature
FEATURE FRIDAY | ENTO CERAMICSFEATURE FRIDAY | ENTO CERAMICS What happens when a professional entomologist becomes a ceramic artist? In the case of Tanza Crouch, the answer is Ento Ceramics — a beautiful meeting of science, art and a lifelong fascination with the natural world. Tanza established Ento Ceramics in 2003, and for more than two decades she has been bringing South African wildlife, insects and indigenous flora into the things we use every day. Working from her studio in Kloof with her long-time studio assistant Nomanesi Mboyisa, each design is individually arranged by hand rather than mass produced. But there is much more to Tanza than her ceramics, so this week we asked her about the person behind the business, her inspiration, her love of nature and what keeps her creating after 23 years. 1. Let's start at the beginning — who is Tanza Crouch when she's not behind Ento Ceramics? A passionate lover of dogs, horses, plants, small creatures and vast wide open spaces. When I am not making crockery I am volunteering for Angel Paws Therapy Dogs, riding my horse and scruffling about in undergrowth to watch the lives and habits of small creatures. 2. You have a background as a professional entomologist as well as being an artist. How did those two worlds come together to create Ento Ceramics? Science and art are not an uncommon mix of interests. Science seeks to interpret the world through word (and rigorous scientific methods) and art does it through imagery. 3. Ento Ceramics has been around since 2003. What has kept you passionate about it for so long? My love for the natural world is simply who I am. Passions are passions and as Ralph Emerson said “it seizes a person whole and once it has done so, he/she will have to accept that his life will be radically changed.” 4. Your designs celebrate everything from insects and birds to indigenous flowers and South African wildlife. What is it about nature that continues to inspire you? The fabulously innovative way the natural world is so well adapted to survival. 5. Is there a particular Ento design that has a special story or meaning behind it for you? The Carpenter Bee design is one of the earliest designs and remains the most popular design that I have done. It is bumblebee-like in appearance (we have no true bumblebees in Sub Saharan Africa) and the design seems to represent everything that is good about bees and their relatives. Simple and bold in its colouring. 6. Your pieces are individually arranged rather than mass produced, so no two pieces are exactly alike. Why is that individuality important to you? I like that there is something unexpected about the end product. We are all alike but somehow different. I would go mad making things all the same! 7. What does a typical day in the Ento studio actually look like? A few hours of admin, stock management, planning and replying to emails/orders followed by production. Nomanesi is my studio assistant of 20 years and is a wonderful help. The kiln is packed and firing happens at night. Customers pop by in the afternoons and because I am self-employed I can fit in a dog walk, a ride or a run whenever the schedule can accommodate it. I am the HR, PR and manager of the business… aka the boss, so I make the rules. 8. You've been part of the Shongweni Market community for some time. What does being at the Market mean to you and to Ento Ceramics? Shongweni has been, and still is, an integral part of my sales. The community of traders is a wonderful mix of humans who are all at once friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances. It is a rather unique working environment. The diversity of souls is fabulous! 9. After more than two decades of Ento Ceramics, is there something you're still hoping to create, explore or achieve? I am always chasing the elusive “ultimate design”. What makes people love an image and how can I influence their perception of it? I always want people to think a little more differently about the natural world; to be more engaged. Crockery but also fabric remain media of choice. 10. And finally, if someone is discovering Ento Ceramics for the first time this Friday at Shongweni Market, what would you love them to notice when they visit your stall? That our products are quality, and our designs wild and quirky, neat and relatable, floral and faunal… we offer something for everybody looking for a bit of wildlife in their daily use. There is something wonderfully fitting about having Ento Ceramics at Shongweni Market. Tanza's work encourages us to slow down, notice the small things and appreciate the incredible natural world around us — whether that's a tiny insect, an indigenous flower or one of South Africa's iconic animals. Next time you're at the Market, take a closer look at Ento Ceramics, stand I09. You never know what might catch your eye. 🌿
Instagram Feature
Feature Friday - Funky Junk JamsSome stalls are there to shop, and some are there to explore. Uptown Funky Junk is definitely the latter. Tucked into stalls L5 & 6, Brandon and Jenny have created a wonderfully eclectic world where antiques, collectibles, theatre props, curiosities and music all come together. Their love of the unusual is immediately evident, and with a vinyl record always spinning in the background, a visit to their stall feels a little like stepping into another time. Brandon from Uptown Funky Junk tells their story: “We were introduced to Christine and the prospect of opening a funky store at the market during COVID in September 2020. Jenny and I had a successful events and performing arts support business, but our entire industry had been frozen during the pandemic. It was suggested that we open an antique, collectibles, theatre props and oddities store to help us with the frustration of sitting at home trying to figure out how to get moving again. With our vast collection of theatre props and equipment, the treasures from my lifelong addiction to collecting, and our experience in the events industry, it was an easy temporary fix... Fast forward six years, and the new addiction to the Uptown Funky Junk store and the ‘Collectors Row’ collective is very real. Life at the market, with our collectors store and our fantastic, crazy, wonderful neighbours, has become a full-time way of life. We don’t do much else except hunt for stock, renovate and have loads of fun.” Last year, we were asked if we would like to expand and open a music media section, and Funky Junk Jams was born. Music and anything music-related has always been the most important thing in my family. Whether it is collecting it, making it or expanding our trivial knowledge about it, it has always got us through life. Now we are sharing it. It has been a thrilling weekly market experience finding so many other people who still have the same passion — or addiction — to collecting physical music media such as CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, books and memorabilia from so many different genres.” Whether you’re searching for a special collectible, a quirky piece of nostalgia, an unusual prop, vintage music, or simply something you’ve never seen before, Uptown Funky Junk and Funky Junk Jams is the kind of place where you never quite know what you’re going to find. Take your time, browse a little longer and let the music lead you through the shelves. You might come looking for one thing and leave with something completely unexpected — or simply with a new appreciation for the stories, memories and characters hidden in the things around us. And that’s the magic of Uptown Funky Junk: it isn’t just a stall filled with things. It’s a collection of passions, memories and treasures, brought together by two people who clearly love the hunt as much as they love sharing what they find. Uptown Funky Junk is at the end of the market on your way to the Village, be sure to pop in and say Hi!
Instagram Feature
FEATURE FRIDAY: MARIAM’S – Made With PassionFEATURE FRIDAY: MARIAM’S – Made With Passion This week we’re celebrating the wonderful lady behind not one, but TWO much-loved food stalls at The SFM — Mariam’s at A34 in the Food Court & the Tikka Shed in the Village. Her food is full of flavour, freshly prepared & made with love. We asked Mariam a few questions about her journey, her food & what she loves about being part of our market family: Tell us a little about yourself and how Mariam’s got started. “My dad was a chef, & he inspired my love for cooking. Mariam’s has been part of the food industry for many years, & I’ve been at SFM for many years too.” What inspired you to start cooking? “Definitely my dad. Growing up with a chef inspired me to cook & eventually turn that passion into Mariam’s.” What type of food do you serve? “We believe in freshly prepared, tasty food. At our main stall we serve loaded steak & chicken fries, shawarmas/pitas, Masala Fries & Supa Crisps. At the Village, we serve Chicken Tikka, Tikka Boti, Supa Wraps, Supa Sticks, Tikka Burgers & Wors Rolls.” What is one dish everyone needs to try? “Our Loaded Fries with steak or chicken — they’re a huge hit with our regular customers!” What is your favourite part of cooking? “Seeing my customers enjoying their meals & hearing, ‘Wow, that tastes great!’ That makes it all worthwhile.” What’s most popular with your customers? “Our Loaded Fries and steak and chicken shawarmas are favourites. At the Village, our customers absolutely love the Chicken Tikka.” What do you love about Shongweni Market? “I love the people and the atmosphere. We always strive to give our customers our best every Saturday. We truly believe it’s the best market in the country! The management and staff are amazing, and we’re proud to be part of it.” What ONE thing would you recommend to a first-time customer? “The Masala Fries! Come and try them — you won’t be disappointed.” FUN ONE: If Mariam’s was a person, what would its personality be? “Warm, welcoming, full of flavour and full of passion!” (Sounds a lot like Mariam) We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Thank you Mariam for bring your passion and flavour to the SFM family and market every Saturday.
Instagram Feature
This week, we’re celebrating the fabulous Giles from Gipsy G — a woman who bringThis week, we’re celebrating the fabulous Giles from Gipsy G — a woman who brings so much energy, colour & life wherever she goes! We absolutely love having her at SFM. Her personality is infectious, her style is unapologetically bold, and her passion for colour & fashion shines through in everything she does. With Spring here, we asked Giles what this new season means to her — and her answer is every bit as vibrant as she is…Here’s Giles in her own words. “For me, Spring is about a reset button. A new season. A new chapter. A chance to stop, take a breath and have a good look at yourself — where you are, where you've been &, perhaps most importantly, where you want to go next. I think we spend so much time rushing forward that we don't always stop to ask ourselves whether we're actually moving in the right direction. Spring gives us that opportunity. It’s also about how we connect with the people around us — being more present, more open and finding ways to engage with others that actually mean something. And then there’s COLOUR.I love colour. In fact, I think colour tells a story. It can reflect exactly where you are in your life. Your mood. Your confidence. Your energy your personality Your attitude. My colours? Greens, blues, pinks and reds. And definitely bold! I'm not really a pastel person. Give me colour with a bit of attitude & personality! That’s something I love about Gipsy G. Fashion gives us a wonderful opportunity to express who we are without having to say a word. You can be bold, playful, elegant, colourful — or all of those things at once. For me, getting dressed should make you feel something. So this Spring, I'm choosing colour, curiosity & a willingness to embrace the next chapter. New season. New starts. New energy. And plenty of colour.” And that is exactly why we love Giles! Bold, colourful, full of personality & always bringing her wonderful energy to the market. If you’re looking for something that makes you feel good, express yourself and add a little attitude to your wardrobe, make sure you visit Gipsy G at J6 & J7 this Saturday. Here’s to Spring, new beginnings, bold choices and plenty of Colour!
Instagram Feature
Feature Friday – The Women Behind the Market.Feature Friday – The Women Behind the Market. As we come to the final week of Women’s Month, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the incredible women who work behind the scenes at Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market. These are the women you may not always see, but their hard work is felt by everyone who walks through our gates on a Saturday. They are here making sure the market is clean, cared for, maintained and ready for the public to arrive. They clean our toilets, keep our spaces tidy, tackle the rubbish (even after the monkeys have had their way with it! 🐒😂), and quietly get everything back in order so that our market can be the beautiful space we all know and love. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but it is absolutely essential to what makes our market what it is. So, this Feature Friday is dedicated to our wonderful team of ladies behind the scenes. 🌸 Thank you for everything you do, for the hard work that often goes unnoticed, and for helping us welcome thousands of visitors every Saturday. We see you. We appreciate you. And we are incredibly grateful for you. ❤️ Happy Women’s Month to the women who keep things moving, clean and beautiful behind the scenes! 🌷 #WomensMonth #FeatureFriday #ShongweniMarket #WomenWhoWork #ThankYou [Left to Right: Nana, Makhosi, Celiwe, Smangele, Zamambo, Angel, Janet and Asanda]
Instagram Feature
✨ FEATURE FRIDAY: NIKKI FROM CHARMENIKS ✨✨ FEATURE FRIDAY: NIKKI FROM CHARMENIKS ✨ This Women’s Month, we’re inspired by the incredible women at our market — women who are full of colour, exude passion and aren’t afraid to let their personalities shine. 🌈❤️ And this week’s Feature Friday is the perfect embodiment of all of that! Meet Nikki from @charmeniks 💕✨ If you haven’t discovered her stall at H11 yet, you are seriously in for a treat! Think colour, sparkle, beautiful jewellery and pieces that make you feel fabulous just by putting them on. 💎🌈 But Charmeniks is more than just jewellery — it’s about expression, confidence and celebrating YOU. And that’s exactly what we love about Nikki. We asked Nikki a few questions about herself, her business and what inspires her… and there was far too much goodness to fit into one caption! 😂 So, take a scroll through the photos and get to know the woman behind Charmeniks. 💕✨ We hope you’ll be as inspired by Nikki as we are! And this Saturday, make sure you stop by H11, say hi to Nikki and let her add a little more colour to your day! 🌸💎 Here’s to the women who inspire us to be bold, colourful, passionate and unapologetically ourselves. ❤️ #FeatureFriday #WomenOfShongweni #Charmeniks #ShongweniMarket #WomensMonth
The market map
Plan your visit before you arrive. Locate the main entrance, the village stage, the food court, and every stall block across the grounds.
A Saturday morning in pictures
Host your event on the hill
During the week, our market grounds and undercover spaces are available to hire for functions, corporate events, workshops and special occasions — set among the gardens with views over the Shongweni Valley.
- Available weekdays, Monday to Friday
- Flexible layouts for intimate or larger gatherings
- Undercover, accessible and ample parking
Come say hello
Follow along for weekly updates, photos from the market, and a peek behind the stalls.