Ask any self respecting Durbanite what
their plans are for the first Saturday of every month and you’ll find that
attending the now famous I Heart Market
at the Moses Mabhida stadium, will be on the programme.
The I
Heart Market has quickly changed the modus operandi for a variety of Durban
cliques. Saturdays have been altered by this new era of market goers and a new
culture has seemingly formed from this novel Saturday “must do”. It is also
rather well known that during one’s mandatory meander around the market, one
will notice a few distinct groups of people:
The
Cool Moms
The glam moms of Durban love to be seen and
heard in-between the trendy children’s-wear stalls and fresh lemonade stand.
It’s no longer acceptable to serve your book club attendees snacks from
Woolies, but rather fresh macaroons and treats, thoughtfully purchased from the
Market. The Cool Moms boast a chic
wardrobe and social grace as well as a cute toddler or two. Alternatively all
the chicks have flown the coup and the Saturday market becomes a great platform
for “catch up’s” with the Jones’s.
The
Trendy Dog Owners
Not a scraggly mutt to be seen. Only French
boxers, Boston Terriers, English Bull Dogs and formerly unknown breads of “Labradoodle”
are found patrolling around with their proud owners, happy to have the
attention on their prime pooches. Your dog best have a city or Country at the
start of its breed’s name if you expect to proudly parade it around the grassy
banks.
The
Long Boarders
Cool dudes on their retro long boards, annoying
exasperated security guards while they glide around the marble floors
surrounding the stadium, showing off their moves and checking out chicks. Other
modes of transportation to occupy the smaller youngsters while Mom finds those
beloved macaroons include roller blades and Segways. Watch yourself upon exit
if you’re in the underground parking, you’ll be dodging these kids on some
serious wheels!
The
Fashionistas
The trendy come to take pride in parading their
best outfits for their market stroll as well as to scope out what else is going
on in the contemporary fashion scene of Durbs.
The
Foodies
Those that feel the status quo market food
of egg and bacon rolls is insufficient can be seen scattered on the banks and
on the available tables, enjoying the finer things in life. The Foodies scoff at those shovelling
pancakes into their gullets, while they sip on freshly blended lemonade and
enjoy Parma ham flat breads or in vogue cupcakes.
The
Hipsters
A little off-beat and border lining The Fashionistas, The Hipsters come to brag about attending like, a rad local market
to try be the first to find novelties like sunglasses made from skateboards,
second hand brogues or maybe a vintage brooch to wow the common masses. The
vinyl collection and music floating around the market are enough to attract any
“too school for cool” hipster.
All ‘n all the I Heart Market has somehow managed to bring the whole of Durban together.
There is room and common ground for all of Durban’s inhabitants. Even the upper
highway folk who generally refuse to venture down the infamous Fields Hill too
many times a month, will religiously make the trek to the market. Each
individual seemingly has their own market ritual .Whether it’s the hours spent
prepping outfits or to run and grab a fresh juice followed by a syrupy waffle,
everyone has their routine. The I Heart Market
has undeniably shattered the general market illusions and rather archaic
stigmas. Markets are no longer lines of stalls bearing the same monotonous
items that Mom and Dad drag the unwilling kids too, for lack of better things
to do. It has become a platform for gathering, social expression and community
upliftment. People of all ages, colours, genders, cliques and areas manage to
come together for some good food, good music and good shopping. I Heart Market was undoubtedly the first
of its kind in the Durban area and continues to forge a new path for our beloved
city. A market goer summed it all up when quoted saying “You guys have changed
the way Durban does Saturdays” when speaking to the brainchild behind this
Saturday morning sensation. Thanks to this new market-going community, two
things are for certain;
We all heart the market.
And more importantly, we all heart Durban.
You can find Jen Kelly:
