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Stuff from Johannesburg

Outsiders turned icons, South Africa’s jacarandas spring into bloom | MyJHB.co.za

Johannesburg in the news:

  1. Outsiders turned icons, South Africa’s jacarandas spring into bloom: South Africa’s jacaranda trees are iconic signs of spring. Their spectacular brief blooms have always made good symbolism – particularly this year. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Smart says global decarbonisation journey will benefit Northern Cape base metals hub: Growing global demand for zinc, copper and tin minerals will place South Africa’s Northern Cape in a favourable position as the world continues to decarbonise the global economy, says Orion Minerals … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Joburg is broken: Central to this breakdown in delivery, felt most acutely in City Power and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), is an often-messy relationship with contractors and suppliers. In some instances, these … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. African analysts offer advice on repairing U.S. political system amid growing calls for reform: African analysts, like many others worldwide, are troubled by the mounting evidence of voter suppression, intimidation, politicized courts and partisan manipulation in the U.S. electoral system. Now t … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Meghan Markle becomes the first modern royal to vote in a U.S. presidential election: A source is confirming that the African American wife of Prince Harry “is voting in this election.” It was not revealed if Markle voted early or will vote locally near the couple’s new home in Santa … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? Midrand was established as a municipality in 1981 (in an area known as Halfway House, after its position between Pretoria and Johannesburg), but ceased to be an independent town in the restructuring of local government that followed the end of apartheid in 1994. It was incorporated in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in 2000.

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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.