The three-day annual Christmas bazaar organised by members of the Dutch Reformed congregation and Rapportryers, the Kersmark, took place again this year in the church hall. The event opened on December 1 and closed on three days later.
The three-day annual Christmas bazaar organised by members of the Dutch Reformed congregation and Rapportryers, the Kersmark, took place again this year in the church hall. The event opened on December 1 and closed on three days later.
This year's Kersmark saw people from Bathurst, Cape Town, Riebeeck East and Fort Beaufort coming to exhibit handmade crafts, including those made by Kuyasa Special School pupils, pottery, jewellery, baked goods and a coffee shop.
Van Schaik book store rented the entire second floor.
The church's minister, Strauss De Jager, who rented a table where he sold gigantic jars of juicy farm olives, olive paste and olive oil, said the event was not solely about earning money and donating it to charity, but the weeks leading to the Christmas bazaar also created part-time employment for many families.
“Take the coffee shop as an example. The owners need ample help to keep it running,” he explained.
Albeit attendance at the first day of the bazaar was slow thanks to rain, the second and third day were more forgiving and the venue was packed with buyers all hoping to get the perfect Christmas gift for their loved ones.
The exhibitors are allowed to keep 85% of whatever they make; the Dutch Reformed Church and Rapportryers usually take 15% of the profits.
“On the last day of the bazaar, we will collect 15% from all the people who took part in this bazaar,” said Annalise Bosch, one of the organisers.
The takings will be split between three charity organisations, which usually comprise homes for the aged, orphanages and random people who come to church on Christmas Day.
Annalise said last year they had made a staggering R116 000 within three days. "We are hoping to make more this year," she said.
When the tables were fully booked by June this year, there was no doubt that the event would be a huge success. Bookings usually open in March, "We urge people to book early to avoid disappointment. We already have people on next year's waiting list, said Bosch.
