Action in Autism Hosts Much-Anticipated Annual Market

A Celebration of Inclusion, Creativity, and Community

Action in Autism will host its much-anticipated annual Market, on Saturday 6 December from 9am to 2pm.

This year’s theme is “Endless Summer” and once again the year-end event will celebrate creativity, inclusion, and community spirit. The autistic students from the organisation’s Shahumna Centre, a Skills Transfer and Business Hub, have been working tirelessly to prepare a delightful selection of crafts, potted plants, and baked goods for sale.

The event promises to be a vibrant day of creative crafts, community connection, and family fun, all in support of the Action in Autism Centre and its programmes.

The Shahumna Centre offers a three-year entrepreneurship programme for autistic adults, focusing on skill development in baking and catering, plant propagation and small-scale gardening, as well as arts and crafts. The Market serves as an annual highlight where students take the lead in planning, preparing, and managing their own stalls. It provides a vital platform for students to showcase their talents, apply their skills in real-world contexts, and engage confidently with the public.

This year’s Endless Summer Market will feature a wide range of stalls, delicious food, handmade crafts, and entertainment for the whole family — including pony rides and a jumping castle.

Ashvir Dalu, Manager of the Shahumna Centre, shared:

“The Market has become a major annual fundraising event for our organisation that is of a deserving cause to be supported. Moreover, it continuously serves as a platform for our talented autistic students to showcase their learned skills in cooking, gardening, arts, and business management; and enables engagement with the public in an accepting space that is fully supportive of neurodiversity. We look forward to the attendance of many people who would like to support our students and share the important message that they can and will contribute meaningfully to society — and require opportunities to become employed.”

Adding to this, Uday Mahlutshana, a student at the Shahumna Centre, said:

“Our “Endless Summer” Market will be good, and we want it to be successful with your support. I encourage everyone to attend and experience pony rides, a jumping castle, over 20 different vendors, and witness us students showcasing our skills. We really appreciate if you can share our event details and bring your family and friends along for a fun day.”

Action in Autism welcomes community members, businesses, and supporters to get involved by donating goods, sponsoring services, or contributing raffle prizes to enhance the market. Those who wish to make financial contributions may do so by depositing into the organisation’s bank account:

Action in Autism
FNB Account: 621 029 10123
Branch Code: 220629 (Umhlanga Crescent)
SWIFT Code: FIRNZAJJ
(All monetary donations, on request, will receive a Section 18A tax certificate.)

Local entrepreneurs and crafters are also invited to book a vendor table for just R250 to sell their wares at the market. Interested vendors can contact Action in Autism at info@actioninautism.org.za or 031 563 3039 to secure their spot.

The Endless Summer Market 2025 is not just a fundraising event — it is a celebration of inclusion, empowerment, and community. Every purchase, donation, and act of kindness directly supports autistic individuals in building their skills, developing confidence, and achieving greater independence.

Event Details: