The inner city is often avoided at all costs, and many Joburg citizens have written it off as a place to be avoided. The fact of the matter is that there is probably less crime in the inner city than there is in suburbia. Because of this hearsay, the Congolese Market on Rocky Street has become a strange little gem not yet discovered by the average citizen.

That’s exactly why you love us at Joburg.co.za so much – because we love exploring and discovering these jewels for you so that you can go out and enjoy them. The market itself is the perfect spot to purchase interesting ingredients used in Central and Western African cuisine – such as plantain, dried crayfish meal and cocoyam. Many of the stallholders at the market are not from South Africa. Some have come from as far as the Horn Of Africa to come and live the South African dream. But with them, they bring their respective culinary cultures. It is indeed a melting pot where different cultures come together in a most colourful and vibrant atmosphere.

The market is not limited to weird and wonderful cooking ingredients. Here you can also purchase jewellery inspired by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, musical instruments from the DR-Congo and textiles from all over the continent.

In a nutshell, the Yeoville Market is an experience and a half. The city can be daunting if you’re not used to it, so grab a group of friends, head into the bazaar and emerge with awesome treasures and memories. The inner city walking tour guys, Dlala Nje, do a very cool Yeoville food tour if you prefer checking it out in the company of a guide.

By Shawn Greyling

Have you been to the Yeoville Market before? Let us know what you think of it in the comments section below. Plan a trip to the Yeoville Market and share this article with your party.