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Stuff from Johannesburg

2 Westdene preschoolers killed by rat poison

Johannesburg in the news:

  1. 2 Westdene preschoolers killed by rat poison: The City of Johannesburg said the privately-run preschool where the … City of Johannesburg member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for health and … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  2. Tight court security as terrorism-accused Thulsie twins appear in court: Johannesburg – THE terrorism-accused Thulsie twins have now been supplied all particulars they need to prepare for their trial, except evidence about … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  3. Forest High stabbing: Teen's alleged killer to be moved to another school, says Lesufi: Lesufi was speaking at a memorial service held at Forest High School in Turffontein, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, where he also informed mourners … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  4. I was disoriented on the night of racist 'rant' – Vicki Momberg: JOHANNESBURG – Convicted racist Vicki Momberg has told the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg she was completely disoriented on the night … – Google Alert – Johannesburg
  5. Botswana decriminalizes gay sex in latest LGBT rights victory in Africa: Johannesburg — Botswana became the latest country to decriminalize gay sex on Tuesday in a landmark case for Africa. The High Court of Botswana … – Google Alert – Johannesburg

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Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? Boiling an egg takes one minute longer in Johannesburg than on the South African coast: The reason for this is because Johannesburg is located at 1753 metres above sea level. The air is not dense.

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The Oriental Plaza: A Phoenix in Fordsburg

If Johannesburg is a city of forced displacements, the Oriental Plaza is its most resilient response. While the Rand Club was built for the elite and Ponte for the “jet-set,” the Oriental Plaza was born from the trauma of the Group Areas Act—a piece of Apartheid legislation designed to geographically separate the races. Yet, in true Johannesburg fashion, what was intended as a tool of containment and financial ruin for the Indian community transformed into one of the most vibrant, independent commercial powerhouses in the country.

The story of the Plaza begins with the destruction of Pageview, affectionately known as Fietas. In the mid-20th century, Fietas was a legendary multicultural hub, centered around the bustling 14th Street. It was the city’s premier destination for textiles, clothing, and spices, where shoppers of all races would rub shoulders in a “jazzy, soulful” atmosphere. However, because Fietas was located so close to the white-only city center, the Apartheid government declared it a “white area” in 1962. The community fought back for decades, but by the 1970s, the bulldozers arrived. Homes were leveled, and the thriving traders of 14th Street were forcibly relocated to a purpose-built, modernist complex a kilometer away in Fordsburg: the Oriental Plaza.

The government’s intent was cynical: by moving the traders into a controlled environment with high state-mandated rents and strict rules on what could be sold, they hoped to break the back of Indian commercial dominance. The early years were devastating; many businesses folded, and the “Grand Bazaar” felt like a sterile warehouse compared to the street-level energy of Fietas. However, the traders refused to vanish. They eventually won the right to purchase their own shops, making the Oriental Plaza unique among South African malls because it is owned by the shopkeepers themselves rather than a corporate landlord. This ownership model changed everything. Without the burden of massive monthly mall rentals, the 360+ independent stores can offer prices that national retailers cannot touch, turning the Plaza into a “bargain-hunter’s paradise” that draws millions of visitors a year.