The Oriental Plaza is a shopping complex that you must visit, if you are intending to plant your feet on the soils of Fordsburg.Before we look at where it stands today, let us take a peek into its past. The Oriental Plaza has its roots in the 1970’s during the apartheid era, when traders of the popular “Petticoat Lane’ of 14th Street in Fietas (Pageview) were forcibly removed to make way for white people.Some of the traders unfortunately lost their businesses, however due to the surviving traders sales magic, determination and perseverance, the Fietas traders managed to win back many of their 14th Street customers. The traumatic history has had a huge impact on the shopkeepers, where even after relocating to the Plaza, they have had to walk a long and difficult road before they could finally buy their stores.This has caused them to be very possessive of the Plaza, and prompts them to make certain that their customers are fully satisfied with their services.The Oriental Plaza also has the unique and appealing characteristic of each store being owned by the shopkeeper, which makes them all the owners of the shopping centre. This system is unusual for shopping centres. Added to this, many of the traders live up to the Plaza’s reputation of being the Jewel pricing Mecca of South Africa, and are prepared for bargaining with their clients and lowering prices that would suit both parties. Today, the Oriental Plaza stands out as being one of the most popular shopping centres, where even celebrities have enjoyed what it has to offer, and has become an established tourist attraction. It attracts thousands of customers each month and draws people from all races and walks of life. And to show their appreciation for their success, the shopkeepers donate thousands of blankets annually to the poor, and have become involved with the annual Mahatma Gandhi Remembrance walk and run. Alone - or with the whole family - the shopping experience will be remembered for its vibrancy, mixture of eastern and western products on sale, friendly faces and every possible item found there.Do not believe – even for a minute – that you will not find what you are looking for, because the Plaza is blessed with over 360 stores that will provide you with everything you will need for the function (birthday, wedding, bah mitzvah or social gathering) that you would be organizing or attending. Or just supplying your closet with a range of brand new clothing and shoes!! The Oriental Plaza stores have ranges of children’s, men’s and ladies clothing, household goods, sporting equipment, materials, linen, shoes, jewellery, hardware, electronics, toys – to name just a few. They have Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of the Standard Bank, Habib Bank, First National Bank and Nedbank, so you will not be stranded for cash. And to top it off – after the invigorating shopping spree, you can sit down at any of the restaurants dotting the Plaza and enjoy a refreshing snack or meal, and drinks. Perhaps Ajmeri Fast Foods, Foxy’s Café, Harry’s Café, Just Samoosas - or Delhi Diner. As you leave the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg, you would be assured of a wonderful feeling that shouts out about your perfect oriental shopping experience.
