Any guidebook will tell you, Adderley street flower market is one of the places you should visit when in Cape Town. It's just down the road from the very famous Green Market Square, and is one of the oldest flower markets in Cape Town.
Thought to have been active since the 1880's, the Adderley street flower market is one of the few places that black business people were allowed to trade under Apartheid laws. In the '60's, the government tried to make the road a "whites only" area, but did not succeed, due to the powerful protests of the flower sellers.
It's not an easy life, but it shows some of our diverse culture here in Cape Town
I found this cute snippet about the lady I bought flowers from today, who decided that Parliament would not open on Valentine's Day, as she would lose business. Look out for the feisty local slang:
Even Tretchikoff was inspired to do a few paintings of the flower sellers
source
I am going to visit Delia, the flower lady again tomorrow and I really hope to get some more history on the market from her. Watch this space
