Oriental Plaza Fordsburg · Since 1974
Oriental PlazaFordsburg
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Fordsburg, Johannesburg · Trading since 1974

Around 350 traders. One shop number to find them.

The Plaza isn't a mall with anchor tenants — it's 17 hectares of independent shops, most of them owned by the family standing behind the counter. Start with what you're after.

What people come for

Twelve trades, block after block

Shops here specialise hard and sit next to their competition, which is exactly why it works: you can compare six curtain suppliers in ten minutes without leaving the walkway.

Fabric & haberdasheryBolts, trims, buttonsTailors & dressmakersMade and altered hereBridalGowns, sarees, trousseauFootwearFormal, casual, kidsJewelleryGold, silver, costumeSpiceMasala blends by weightBedding & linenBlankets, curtainingLeatherwareJackets, belts, casesLuggage & bagsTravel and everydayKids & babyClothing and outfittingCrockery & giftsKitchen and homewareFoodSamoosas to sit-down

How the Plaza is addressed

Every shop has a code. Learn it and you'll never get lost.

Traders give directions by shop number, not by landmark. The letter tells you which of the three sections you're in; the number counts along the walkway.

  • N

    North sectionSingle-storey, open to the sky. Curtaining, menswear, leather and bag shops cluster here.

  • C

    Central BazaarThe three-storey circular building in the middle. Bridal, jewellery, crockery and kidswear.

  • S

    South sectionThe largest run of shops. Fabric, fashion, spice, footwear and most of the food.

  • KIOSK

    Walkway kiosksSmall freestanding stalls between the blocks — cellular, bedding, sweets.

Search the directory See the centre plan
Schematic layout of Oriental Plaza The North section sits above the three-storey Central Bazaar, with the South section below it. Lilian Ngoyi Street runs along the eastern edge. LILIAN NGOYI STREET NORTH SHOP CODES N1 – N70 SINGLE STOREY · OPEN AIR CENTRAL BAZAAR C1 – C149 · 3 LEVELS KIOSKS FREESTANDING STALLS IN THE WALKWAYS PARKING SURFACE BAYS ON ALL FOUR SIDES SOUTH SHOP CODES S1 – S263 SINGLE STOREY · OPEN AIR ENTRANCE

Before you drive out

Six days a week, and quieter than you'd think mid-morning

Core trading hours are below. Individual traders vary theirs around religious observance, stock-take and the festive season, so phone ahead if you're coming for one specific shop.

Checking hours

Hours, parking and directions
  • Monday to Thursday9am – 5pm
  • Friday9am – 5pm
  • Saturday9am – 3pm
  • SundayClosed
  • Public holidays9am – 3pm

Many stores close 12:30–1:30pm on Fridays for Jumu'ah. Selected stores open Sundays during Ramadan and December.

What the Plaza is known for

Three trades worth the drive

Bolts of dress fabric stacked in a textile shop

Fabric & haberdashery

The reason buyers drive in from all over Gauteng. Dress fabric, bridal material, trim and buttons, sold by traders who cut it themselves.

See fabric stores → Crimson bridal silk with gold embroidery and bangles

Bridal

A whole wedding sourced in one morning — gown or saree, sherwani, jewellery, trousseau linen and the tailoring to fit it.

See bridal stores → Ground masala and whole spices at a spice merchant

Spice & masala

Blended on site and sold by weight. Sealed to travel, which is why so much of it ends up in hand luggage.

See spice stores →

The place itself

Open to the sky, and unmistakable from the road

Sandstone arches on Lilian Ngoyi Street, a clock tower over the walkways, and shopfronts that spill their stock onto the paving.

Walkway between shopfronts with the clock tower behind
The walkways
Oriental Plaza seen from Lilian Ngoyi Street
From the street
Arched entrance one with palms and flags
Entrance 1
Oriental Plaza lettering against a blue sky
The sign

Also worth knowing

Three things first-timers ask

Prices

Marked prices are a starting point

In most shops here you can ask, especially on volume or cash. It's normal and nobody takes offence. Fixed-price stores will tell you so.

Weddings

It's a bridal destination

Gowns, sarees, sherwanis, trousseau linen, favours and jewellery are all within a few minutes' walk of each other in the Central Bazaar.

See bridal stores →

Eating

Eat before you shop, or after

Samoosas, chilli bites, grills and sit-down curry are spread across the South section and the walkways. Most are halaal.

Where to eat →