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Stuff from Johannesburg

‘We’re being punished for the sins of a few’ say alcohol traders and consumers | MyJHB.co.za

Johannesburg in the news:

  1. ‘We’re being punished for the sins of a few’ say alcohol traders and consumers: It is still unclear whether the alcohol ban will be effective until the end of the month or until February 15. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  2. SA Christian Forum slams govt for inconsistency in lockdown rules: SANCF said government is irrational given that places of business which often attract large crowds can operate while places of worship are being discriminated against. – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. Emirates suspended flights to 6 cities over the weekend: Dubai-based airline Emirates suspended flights to six cities in Australia and South Africa over the weekend, citing “operational reasons” for … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Zikalala pays tribute to Transport MEC Ntuli: Natal provincial government is reeling after the death of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli.The 63-year-old was in hospital for COVID-19 complications.Ntuli was elevated to the … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. COVID-19: 13,973 new cases, 384 more deaths in SA: The number of coronavirus deaths in South Africa has increased by 384.KwaZulu Natal reported the most deaths (125), followed by the Western Cape (95), Gauteng (68) and the Eastern Cape (39).This … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

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Have you tried: Whale and Dolphin Watching in Algoa Bay?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? Even though Johannesburg is well over 120 years old (founded on 4 October 1886 during the gold rush), it is still one of the youngest major cities in the world.

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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.