In a heartbreaking announcement, the beloved Dorp Street Sunday Market in Stellenbosch, a favorite weekend destination for many, has revealed it will be closing down.
The market has been facing significant administrative challenges for months, and despite efforts to continue operating, the approval from the Stellenbosch Municipality has not been granted, forcing them to close their doors.
A Series of Setbacks with the Municipality
The closure was shared on the market’s social media on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, where the organizers explained the ongoing struggles.
“After our return announcement in December 2024, things have not gone as smoothly as we hoped.
We got approval for our 2024 application, but despite submitting a similar application for 2025, the municipality’s events committee refused to approve it,” the organizers explained.
The market organizers stressed that the only change in the new application was the updated dates for the 2025 market season, and there had been no complaints or objections from any municipality department.
They also pointed out that the event’s by-laws had not changed during this period, leaving them confused and frustrated by the refusal.
Constant Roadblocks and Red Tape
Adding to the frustration, the organizers revealed that they had faced continuous roadblocks when dealing with various departments within the municipality.
“We’ve done everything we could—contacting numerous departments and knocking on doors—but we continue to be turned away at every step,” they stated.
The market team expressed their deep disappointment over the situation.
“Despite our efforts to provide a platform for local businesses and create jobs, politics and bureaucracy have once again stood in our way,” they said, clearly feeling disheartened by the entire process.
A Loss for Local Businesses and the Community
The closure of the Dorp Street Sunday Market marks the end of an important community event that has long supported local businesses and brought joy to residents and visitors alike.
Many people who have frequented the market over the years are now left wondering about the future of such beloved community events, which have helped many small businesses thrive.