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Stuff from Johannesburg

“It’s debilitating studying while you’re hungry”

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. “It’s debilitating studying while you’re hungry”: Bianca Nonhlanhla Skhosana is a fourth year medical student at the University of The Witwaterstrand in Johannesburg. She is one of hundreds of students at the uni whose had to turn to a food parcel … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Court orders City of Johannesburg to stop Dragon City land grab: Residents have won an application for the return of a green lung to their community — but the public space is now occupied by the sprawling Dragon City, which labels itself the ‘Sandton City’ of China … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. BAMR – Serving the industry for 75 years: BAMR is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Fred Duk, a major in the Airforce, returned from the war to establish BAMR on 22 May 1946. Frank, took over in 1961 and Graham Duk, Fred’s grandson, … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Industry insight opportunity for students: Owing to the fast-paced changes in the boilers and burners sector, technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges have initiated an Occupational Qualification Dual System programme that … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. SA cocaine dealer sentence today: A South African woman who was this week convicted of dealing in cocaine after being intercepted with $ 7,8 million worth of the drug at Robert Gabriel International Airport in Harare, will know her … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Travelling to South Africa?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? There is only one other city on the continent that is bigger than Joburg, and that is the bustling metropolis of Cairo in Egypt. Johannesburg is the second biggest city on Africa.

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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.