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Stuff from Johannesburg

Dafabet Announced as Proteas Men’s Test and ODI Event Partner

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Dafabet have today announced the betting company as the event partner for the Proteas Men’s action-packed home summer of Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket.

The Proteas will host Australia, Bangladesh and England across eight Dafabet Test matches, with each tour also featuring a three-match Dafabet ODI series, from September through to January next year.

The announcement further strengthens Dafabet’s growing partnership with CSA, having served as the associate partner of the Proteas Men and Women since 2024.

During this period, the Proteas Men lifted the ICC World Test Championship mace and reached the semi-finals of both the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The Proteas Women have also enjoyed success on the global stage, reaching back-to-back ICC finals at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Commenting on the partnership, CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said: “CSA is proud to partner with Dafabet as the event sponsor for the Proteas Men’s home summer, which promises to be a packed and exciting season of cricket.

“We value our growing relationship with Dafabet and their ongoing support of South African cricket.

“Their continued investment in the game reflects a shared commitment to creating meaningful fan experiences and supporting the long-term success of cricket nationwide.”

Dafabet, Head of Sponsorships, John Cruces, added: “Given we’re already a partner of Cricket South Africa the opportunity to sponsor the Summer Tests and the One Day Internationals was a no-brainer.

“Our aim is to build on the existing partnership and be part of the growth in the sport within the country.

“We have no doubt these are going to be some of the most viewed matches over the next five months, with cricket of the very highest level on display. We wish the Proteas the very best of luck,” said Cruces.

Source: cricket.co.za

Ben Stokes – Born on June 4, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Stokes is known for his explosive batting and exceptional all-round abilities. He played a crucial role in England’s victory in the 2019 World Cup and is celebrated for his match-winning performances in Tests, including the 2019 Ashes.

Source – MyZA

Free Johannesburg Press Release Submissions from MyPR.co.za

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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.