Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market

Vendor Features

16 Oct 2026

Warren Dukas

Feature Friday: Frozen Yo

FEATURE FRIDAY: Meet Warren from Frozenyo Food Truck There are some stalls at the Shongweni Market that you simply can’t miss, and Frozen Yo is definitely one of them. Literally, they are parked at the front of the market in their bright turquoise and yellow truck. Warren have been serving up delicious frozen yoghurt and an impressive selection of toppings to our Saturday crowd for the past three years. With summer on the way, it seemed like the perfect time to catch up with Warren and find out a little more about the man behind the froyo, what brought Frozen Yo to SFM, and what keeps him coming back every Saturday. We asked Warren some quick fire questions to learn more about him: Q: If you were a Frozen Yo flavour, which one would you be? A: Natural, no question! It’s the OG. It’s simple, honest, and it goes with everything. I like to think that’s me too: no fuss, just the real thing. Q: Tell us a little about Frozen Yo. A: Frozen Yo started in 2015 with one simple idea: give people the cold, creamy joy of ice cream without the guilt. We started in Cape Town, took a detour through Joburg, and now we’re swirling in Durban! We’ve loved bringing froyo joy all over Mzansi. Our froyo is gluten-free and low in calories, and we serve it from a bright turquoise and yellow truck that brings the vibes! Q: How long have you been trading at SFM, and what made you choose the market? A: This month we’re celebrating our 3-year anniversary at the market! It was an easy choice. It’s a proper family market that easily rivals any market in the country — believe us, we’ve been to plenty! It’s one of our favourite ways to spend a Saturday morning, in the most amazing natural setting. There’s a real love for local, quality food, which is exactly who Frozen Yo is for. Q: What keeps you coming back every Saturday? A: The people, honestly. We have regulars who pop in every week just to say hi. Plus, there are the friendly traders all around us. Saturdays don’t feel like work; they feel like hanging out with the community. Q: What do you think makes Shongweni Market different? A: It has soul. Lots of markets feel like a car park full of stalls. Shongweni feels like a community. The setting is beautiful, the traders really support each other, and the customers come to slow down and enjoy themselves instead of just rushing through. Q: What’s your favourite Frozen Yo combination — and what’s the craziest creation you’ve seen? A: I’m a purist, so you’ll mostly catch me with Natural and something fruity. The craziest one a customer ever built was four flavours with seven toppings! 😂 Respect to them, though. Froyo is meant to be fun! Q: What’s been your funniest or most memorable moment at the market? A: It was a scorching Saturday and the queue at the truck was long. Right in the middle of the rush, a gorgeous Labrador strolled up, made himself comfortable right in front of the truck, and left behind the biggest “deposit” I have ever seen in my life. His poor owner was mortified! Credit to her, though: she did her doggie duty like an absolute champ and cleared away the whole mountain while the entire queue looked on. 😂 Q: Do you cater for events? A: Absolutely! You can book the truck for corporate functions, weddings, engagement parties, birthday parties, school events, music festivals and concerts, and even film and advert shoots. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and the truck makes a great photo backdrop or prop too. Bookings: info@frozenyo.co.za or 072 477 3121. Q: What has Frozen Yo taught you over the years? A: Consistency beats everything. Show up every week, keep the quality the same, and treat every customer like a regular, because they soon will be. It’s also taught me to roll with the punches: breakdowns, load-shedding, quiet days. A small business teaches you patience, and it teaches you that relationships are the real product. Q: Finally, describe Frozen Yo in three words. A: Fro. Zen. Yo. “Fro” for the good stuff in the cup. “Zen” for the Shongweni vibe, because there’s no better place to spend a Saturday morning. “Yo” for the community that keeps us coming back. Put it all together and you get… Frozen Yo! 😉 ________________________________________ A LITTLE FROZEN YO FOR YOUR SATURDAY Three years is a wonderful milestone, and we’re so pleased that Warren and Frozen Yo have become part of the Shongweni Market family. Whether you’re a Natural purist like Warren, someone who loves adding a few fruity toppings, or the kind of person who thinks four flavours and seven toppings sounds like the perfect combination, there’s something wonderfully fun about building your own cup. So as the weather warms up and summer arrives, make sure a Frozen Yo stop is part of your next Saturday at Shongweni. Grab your froyo, find a shady spot, listen to the music, wander through the stalls and enjoy exactly what Warren describes so well — the Fro. Zen. Yo. of Shongweni Market.

Vendor Features

9 Oct 2026

Instagram Feature

FEATURE FRIDAY | Nikki Holliday

FEATURE FRIDAY | Nikki Holliday You never quite know what you’ll find at @hangingaroundrsa, a great thrifted piece, an unexpected treasure, or perhaps even a convo that stays with you long after you’ve left. For Nikki, the woman behind Hanging Around, the market has become about so much more than the clothes. After 8 years at SFM, she has watched customers become familiar faces, familiar faces become friends, & her stall become a place where people come to browse, discover something special & connect. And if you’ve walked down Nikki’s aisle, you’ll know that you’re never quite walking through the same space twice. Nikki has a wonderfully bold & funky way of decorating, constantly transforming the aisle around her & finding new ways to make people stop, look & wonder what she has come up with next. There is always something new to experience at Hanging Around. But October is particularly special. For 7 years, Nikki has turned her stall pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, creating vibrant displays &, in true Nikki fashion, making sure they get people talking. This year, you’ll once again find bras hanging from the ceiling, creating an eye-catching display while helping to raise awareness and proudly supporting the wonderful NGO @iloveboobies_za And that is exactly what makes Nikki’s displays so meaningful. They aren’t simply decorations. They start conversations. As Nikki says: “The display gets people talking - & sharing their stories. Some are sad, but many are positive & inspiring.” Those conversations, connections & stories have become such an important part of her journey at SFM. For Nikki, that’s the magic of SFM. It’s not just about finding a beautiful thrifted piece or an unexpected treasure — it’s about the people you meet, the friendships you make & the stories that unfold along the way. So next time you’re at the market, take a stroll down to stall H9. Stop for a browse, see what’s new, admire her latest creation &, who knows, you might just find something you weren’t looking for… or leave with a story you’ll remember. 8years, countless treasures, ever-changing displays and so many stories — that’s Nikki & Hanging Around. 💗

Vendor Features

2 Oct 2026

Instagram Feature

Meet the Trader: Dave Turner

Meet the Trader: Dave Turner A treasured SFM stall for over 12 years For the past 12 years, Dave’s Tools has been a much-loved fixture at SFM, attracting everyone from DIY enthusiasts & collectors to those simply looking for that one missing tool at the right price. Dave is at his stall every Saturday, with his collection of quality second-hand tools carefully sourced from people who are downsizing or clearing out a toolshed or garage. But Dave doesn't simply buy and resell them. He takes the tools home, where he cleans, reconditions and restores them before bringing them back to the market. The result is a stall packed with tools that are ready to find a new home. One of the advantages of shopping at Dave's is the ability to find individual spanners, sockets and other pieces to complete an existing set, or to purchase a complete set. His stall also has something special for collectors and those who appreciate the craftsmanship of tools from years gone by. Visitors enjoy browsing the collection of old hand-held planes, hand drills and other equipment from yesteryear. And it's not just the men who enjoy Dave's Tools — both men and women regularly browse his extensive selection, whether they're experienced DIYers or simply looking to try something new. The move to the market's new venue has been a real winner for Dave, too. With excellent facilities and no need to pack up his tools every weekend, he has been able to display his stock properly and increase the range of tools available. “So if you have a box of old tools you want to sell, a few items missing from your toolbox or a grandchild who wants to try their hand at leather or woodwork, come and see me at the Shongweni Market.” Dave’s Tools — where old tools get a new lease on life, and there's always something worth discovering. 🔨🔧 I particularly like the “old tools get a new lease on life” angle for Dave because it captures what makes his stall different from simply being a tool seller. With his ever-changing collection of tools, you never know what you might discover. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer, a collector, or simply looking for the right tool at the right price, Dave will be happy to help. 📍 Find Dave’s Tools at L7 & L8 — and take a little time to explore. You might just find exactly what you’ve been looking for! 🔨🔧

Vendor Features

25 Sep 2026

Instagram Feature

FEATURE FRIDAY | ENTO CERAMICS

FEATURE 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. 🌿

Vendor Features

18 Sep 2026

Instagram Feature

Feature Friday - Funky Junk Jams

Some 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!

Vendor Features

11 Sep 2026

Instagram Feature

FEATURE FRIDAY: MARIAM’S – Made With Passion

FEATURE 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.