MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

West African gold boom ramps up as bargain hunters continue circling

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in the news:

  1. West African gold boom ramps up as bargain hunters continue circling: With gold’s climb back towards US$ 2,000 an ounce, gold explorers are scrambling to get projects off the ground around the world, but one region has been getting a lot of attention in recent years – … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  3. The air that we breathe: Indoor air quality crucial in limiting the spread of Covid-19: A well-ventilated space is not created simply by opening a window. In many places where people gather (such as large open-plan offices or restaurants), there are no windows, or people are … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  4. Independent retailers are fuelling a brand-new service station landscape: First published in the Daily Maverick 168 weekly newspaper. The observant country salesperson taking a drive through South Africa’s provinces north and east of the Orange River in recent times may … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews
  5. Johannesburg 2020 and ahead: Urban futurist, city activist and tourism pioneer Gerald Garner wrote Johannesburg 2020 and Ahead during South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown beginning of 2020. Gerald Garner is the founder of … – “Johannesburg” – BingNews

Click here to submit your Johannesburg, Gauteng News – free.

Have you tried: Travelling to South Africa?

Did you know this about Johannesburg? The Ansteys Building at the corner of Jeppe and Joubert Streets was designed by Emley and William and completed in 1937. It is recognised as a prime example of Art Deco Architecture, a style synonymous with modernisation, optimism and Americanisation before World War 2. The departmental store, N. Anstey’s and Company, occupied the first four floors of the building. The tea terrace was on the fourth floor and was a destination of choice for the ladies of the northern suburbs. The building is 20 storeys high and was, when it was completed, the highest building in the southern hemisphere. The remaining storeys were offices and apartments, some of them occupying an entire floor. The building terminates in a mast designed for docking air ships.

Category: Tag: , , , , , , , ,

The Oriental Plaza: Architecture

Architecturally, the Plaza is a sprawling 17-hectare complex consisting of North and South malls linked by a three-story circular “Grand Bazaar.” But the true magic is in the sensory experience. Walking through the Plaza is an assault of colors and smells: rolls of exotic sari fabrics stacked to the ceiling, the scent of high-quality leather from shoe-repair stalls, and the aroma of toasted spices. It is a place where “bargaining” is an art form—unlike the fixed prices of Sandton, here you engage directly with the owner, often a third-generation merchant whose family was moved from Fietas fifty years ago.

The cultural heart of the Plaza is undoubtedly its food, specifically the legendary World of Samoosas. This small stall has become a local institution, famous for its unique sweet coconut samoosas and its “Nelson Mandela approved” status (the former president was a fan). Near the south entrance, you’ll find a blue heritage plaque marking Red Square. Long before the Plaza was built, this was an open square where the ANC and Communist Party held mass rallies, and where the Defiance Campaign was launched in 1952. The fact that a shopping mall now stands over this revolutionary ground is a poignant reminder of the city’s layered history. The Oriental Plaza didn’t just survive Apartheid; it outlasted the system that tried to use it as a cage, becoming a symbol of the “tenacity and trading ability” that defines the Johannesburg spirit.