Huge black clouds of smoke filled the air as the Zamimpilo Community Market burnt to the ground. The market, which is situated in eMfekayi, Mtubatuba, north of Durban, caught alight around 5am on Wednesday May 8.
The market had been undergoing renovations since November last year and stallholders had moved their wares to an area at the back to allow renovations to continue. This is where the fire, the cause of which has not yet been determined, started.
Vendors sold fruit, vegetables, traditional wear, and African grass mats, among other items, at the market which was established and run by local women in the area.
One of the stallholders, Thembi Zungu said she was devastated at the loss of the market. Selling vegetables at there had been her sole source of income and she supports her small family.
“My produce perished in the market fire. I don’t know how I will recover from this. It’s terrible, for all of us. We are trying to make a living but the odds are against us, it seems. I pray they are able to get the market up and running, this is the only source of income for all of us who trade here,” said Ms Zungu.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube expressed her sadness about the impact of the devastating fire.
She said the market had positioned itself as a cornerstone of the community self-sustainability, offering fresh produce, beautiful crafts, and a platform for the economic empowerment of women.
“We understand the immense loss this fire represents, not just for the stallholders who have lost their livelihoods, but for the entire community that cherished this space. However, we are heartened by the fact that no lives were lost during the devastation,” said the premier.
She added that a thorough investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the fire and how it managed to destroy the entire market.
“We will work with every stakeholder, including the local municipality to establish the causes of the fire and the extent of the damages. Our immediate focus now remains the restoration of the livelihoods of the women and community members who lost everything in the fire,” Ms Dube-Ncube said.
“We stand firmly with the women of Zamimpilo and the entire Mtubatuba community. Together, we will rebuild this treasured market and ensure its continued success as a symbol of local resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.”
The premier and the provincial government will establish the stallholders’ urgent needs and explore all available avenues to offer support, she said. She added that disaster relief teams were already assessing the situation, and would provide immediate support to affected families, including temporary shelter, food, and essential supplies.
“The Zamimpilo Community Market has been a beacon of women resilience and unity, showcasing the rich produce and crafts of KwaZulu-Natal. The community market is a testament to the dedication of the women in their quest to support their families and prosper,” Ms Dube-Ncube said.
