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Makers Landing is a food emporium with a twist. Situated at E Berth next to the new Cape Town Cruise Terminal at the V&A Waterfront, it is withing walking distance from the Silo District and a quick water taxi trip from the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
It’s a V&A Waterfront initiative to highlight the diverse tastes and stories of authentic South African cultures, foods, and flavours. It also serves as a small business development project, recognising and nurturing talent, sharing skills, and creating jobs.
The R63million project is a partnership between the V&A Waterfront (R48million) and the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund (R15million.)
The incubator program
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Aspiring food entrepreneurs must apply to be accepted into the incubator program. Makers Landing is looking for candidates that already have a food business, are actively selling, and have been in operation for less than three years. The cost is R1,500 per month and successful applicants will also have to pay R25 for relevant health and safety certifications and be a registered business with a CIPC.
The programme runs over five months, with two three-hour sessions a week. The course content was developed by Stellenbosch University’s Launch Lab along with industry experts, and is a combination of online modules, in-class learning and individual assignments.
Technical expert support and weekly mentor meetings are a valuable part of the course, as is access to the commercial kitchen space, the opportunity to participate in Makers Landing programming and events, and access to further potential funding and market opportunities.
Zulfa Cassiem from Ooh Fudge
Zulfa makes Halaal chocolate based fudge products, and she is one of the many success stories of the incubation program.
Zulfa is a powerhouse of energy, a “can do” person who had a full time job and still made time to initiate and be active in community projects. When health issues confined Zulfa to her home, she started making fudge to keep busy, and found it soothed and helped with her health issues.
The fudge became a small home business, but since she completed the incubator programme Zulfa has seen phenomenal results. She has opened a permanent store at Makers Landing and employed two full time staff members. Her sales have increased by 450%, she has scaled recipe and production by 400%, and expanded her retail range into six stores.
At the opening of Makers Landing in December 2020, David Green, V&A Waterfront CEO, shared the vision for the project. “We envisage that our SMMEs will at some point outgrow Makers Landing and they will leave to open their own eateries or work elsewhere – in the Waterfront, the city, the country or even overseas – and their places will be filled by new talent looking for a start in the industry,”
Aspiring food entrepreneurs can apply to be accepted into the incubator programme.
What to do at Makers Landing
At Makers you can eat, drink, taste, learn and shop. There are presently 17 shops or stands, plenty of space to sit down to eat, and the upstairs section has a brewery, pub and outside deck that is mere meters away from the berth where the huge cruise liners dock.
Experience an array of authentic African and Zulu dishes which include braai, plant-based foods, Indian Kapoochka and creative chicken wings. For dessert there is no shortage of sweet treats from Halaal fudge to cakes and baked goods. Enjoy coffee, breads, beers, spirits, and a unique superfood drink from B2. Shop for fresh veggies, sweet treat, gifts, meat, spices and more.
Learn about the difference between an Afrikaans koeksister and Cape koesusters, find out about Ayurvedic nutrition, or how to select and purchase ethical meat. Chat to any of the Makers, they all have stories to tell and information to impart.
There is live music and entertainment every Saturday and Sunday and regular pop-up events are part of the plans for 2022.
Current workshops on offer
Sign up for a cooking class or workshop, Makers is currently hosting kids cooking classes (age five to 10) every Saturday and Sunday, and adult classes throughout the month. Check out Makers Landing Quicket to book.
Look out for forthcoming events at the Demo Kitchen where food lovers can congregate to listen to, be inspired by, and engage with culinary experts.
For information on table reservations, events and kids or adult parties, email angsmith@makerslanding.co.za
