The South African Riding for the Disabled Association car boot sale is an institution in the area. Once a month it draws crowds that meander between the cars to slowly search out treasure, laugh, shop and chat to stall holders.
Lateefah and Abdul Azeez of Mitchell’s Plain say this market is the best and their car is too small for all the items they buy.
Margaret Morgan of Kirstenhof who has been a Sarda volunteer for over 33 years says the market has been going for 20 years. “It started in the stables with just five cars and then expanded to the field where the arena was built,” she says.
Sarda fund-raiser Bridget Coyne took over five years ago and now gets up to 180 cars. The volunteers have their own stall with 12 tables and are always looking for stock, particularly when people are moving house. Bridget also sells donations online.
Lorraine Bennett of Diep River who calls herself “the bag lady” because she spent eight years buying things from the Ladies Mile drop-off before it closed, advises to get there early. She says dealers and shops come and then resell at a marked up price.
Situated on Brommersvlei Road, the market is a large open air experience, with tables, boots and blankets laden with goodies like second-hand books, plants, music, clothes, African artwork, electronics, kitchenware, jewellery, children’s toys, pet beds and assorted bric-a-brac.
Cheryl Louw says she has plied her trade for five years and sells well. “I’m not a hoarder,” she laughed. “With children overseas and my mum deceased last year and the family not interested in knickknacks, I’ve had my enjoyment from the things and I offer low prices, and it’s cathartic to get rid of them,” she says. She has one golden rule for car booters: “If you walk around you’ll go home with more than you came with.”
Shopper Jo Verburg of Constantia also has advise. “You must be disciplined and come with a list. In the beginning I went mad and bought 10 or 20 items. Now I’m more selective, otherwise I’d have to go to Milnerton market and sell things,” she says.
Lots of people sell bric-a-brac. Among them are Jürgen and Jasmine Möller of Rondebosch who were there for the first time and enjoying the atmosphere and nice people.
Mariam Davids of Mitchell’s Plain said her husband Ismail, who was lending a helping hand, persuaded her to sell her books, crates and crates of them stored in their garage, all read by her. “Some women go to the shops to touch the clothes, I touch books,” she laughed.
Friends and colleagues Zama Maphumulo of Wynberg and Judy Spies of Muizenberg were selling jewellery, cards, and plaited necklaces by Cathy Grant. Judy said their mirrors and mosaics are made by her brother Laurence Spies. She says the market is a great idea as the money goes to a good cause. But what will they do when Sarda moves, she asked.
“I don’t begrudge them the land but it’s sad that Sarda is a casualty of it,” says Linda Rose of Plumstead.
Cheryl Louw is also sad about the impending move and asked if the Sadien family cannot meet them halfway and share the ground. Jo said there are two sides to a coin and this land is very tucked away for a market.
A better location would be on Spaanschemat River Road where the gym is located, or the open ground across from it.
Bridget says she has tried to keep it to being literally a car boot sale, with just five food traders. Their regulars are many with some coming since its inception. “Everyone loves our beautiful setting, always complimentary by the way we run it and are extremely upset that we have to move,” she says.
Pay it a visit, on the first Saturday of the month (not April though), from 9am to 1pm.
For more information contact Bridget Coyne at 082 777 0767.
