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Stuff from Johannesburg

IAG Cargo transports six white rhinos from Johannesburg to Miami | MyJHB.co.za

Johannesburg in the news:

  1. IAG Cargo transports six white rhinos from Johannesburg to Miami: IAG Cargo hosted six special white rhinos on British Airways’ first A380 flight to Miami yesterday. The rhinos made their journey from Johannesburg, South Africa to Miami as par … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Tokyo Olympics, Euro 2020, Ryder Cup, Lions Tour, Joshua vs Fury, The Ashes, plus the return of all the usual favourites… After Covid ruined 2020, here’s why 2021 could be …: Because global events were ruined by Covid, not only do we have the return of annual favourites across the various sports but we have a multitude of rearranged events from 2020 to fit in as well. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Why 2021 could be the greatest year of sport EVER with Olympics, Euro 2020, Ryder Cup and Lions tour: Because global events were ruined by Covid, not only do we have the return of annual favourites across the various sports but we have a multitude of rearranged events from 2020 to fit in as well. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Holidaymaker falls into gorge at Victoria Falls: A Harare man on holiday with his family fell into a gorge at the Victoria Falls on New Year’s Day. A rescue team by 5pm had not located him. Zimbabwe national parks (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. WATCH: Streets of Jozi in silence on New Year’s Day: The first day of 2021 has kicked off rather quietly in Johannesburg. Many places of entertainment are off-limits because of the adjusted Level 3 Lockdown. There’s high police visibility in parks, and … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Travelling to South Africa?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? The Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital is the largest acute hospital in the world, with 2 964 beds, is the only public hospital serving the 3.5 million people in Soweto, Johannesburg.

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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.