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Stuff from Johannesburg

SA reacts with relief as Health Department does swift U-turn on vaccines for politicians and their staff

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. SA reacts with relief as Health Department does swift U-turn on vaccines for politicians and their staff: The Heath Department was on Tuesday pressured to do a complete U-turn on a circular which sought to give politicians and their staff, diplomats and people travelling out of SA for work or school a … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. Lions v Sharks – Preview, Lineups, Betting, Start Time, TV Coverage: The British and Irish Lions take on the Cell C Sharks on Wednesday evening in Johannesburg for their second game on South African soil. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Sharks vs British & Irish Lions: Key match-ups: The clash against the British and Irish Lions is a perfect opportunity for the Sharks to measure themselves against some of the best players in the world. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. JUST IN: Fastjet partners Simbisa Brands, CBZ: LOW-COST airline, Fastjet, has sealed a partnership with fast-food chain operator, Simbisa Brands, to facilitate ease of doing bookings for travellers. The deal will see tickets being sold at … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Three British & Irish Lions players to watch against Sharks: The British and Irish Lions play the third game of their South Africa tour when they face the Sharks in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Here’s three players to watch at Emirates Airline Park. Tom Curry – … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Visiting Port Elizabeth?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? Johannesburg is the world’s biggest man-made forest, with over 10 million trees. This number is set to grow, as City Parks launched the Greening Soweto project in 2006, with the goal of planting an extra 200 000 trees in the famous township. Not only do Joburg’s trees combat the greenhouse effect, they help reduce noise in this ‘urban jungle’.

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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.