Fordsburg Square Flea Market	View from across the road	The Roof Top Market
Fordsburg Square at Dusk	The atmosphere in the Square	Fordsburg Square at Dusk

When in Fordsburg, do as the Fordsburg-ers --- visit the Mint Road weekend flea market, fondly called the ‘Square’, which has stood the test of time and came out a winner.

The Square, which permeates an eastern atmosphere, has become one of the most sought after venues, attracting people from all cultures and walks of life, from local to distant places - young and old, families and groups. Youths dressed in the latest modern name brands rub shoulders with individuals in conservative clothing; lovers walk hand-in-hand creating memories; Indian music mixes with English; and flashy cars line the road, with barely legal youngsters sporting designer labels, at the wheels.

The area has seen an increase of visitors in recent years due to the stalls selling a range of products, as well as the restaurants, confectionaries and hotels.
As you stroll past each stall, you will find the latest clothing fashions and jewellery that is the current trend, the latest movies and song CDs/DVDs, the latest toys on the market, and so on …..
You will breathe in the mouth-watering smells of samoosas, tandoori chicken tikka and sheesh kebabs that fill the air at the Square’s food stall.
You will walk past the trader selling beautiful fragrances of agharbatis (incense sticks), you will walk past the man selling every affordable toy that would inspire gifts for the little ones, and the woman selling cute boy/girls clothing that you simply cannot resist purchasing.

To understand the importance of the Square, you will need to look back at its origin, its downfall and once again, its revival.
Prior to 1922, it was a bustling and popular market called the Fordsburg Market Square frequented by white people during the segregation era. After the violent miners strike in 1922 when the area was the centre of clashes between miners and police, the Square fell into decay for a lengthy period, only to become a home for the homeless (referred to as ‘hobos’) and was then dubbed ‘Hobo Park’.

It took the initiative of local businessman, Salawudeen ‘Dino’Badrudeen to revitalize the area and inject new life into it. The ex-lessee of the Square said that when he first came to the Square in 1990, he tried to get the local people interested in a flea market, but was not successful.
“At the start of the millennium, we had an influx of foreigners to Fordsburg and the flea market concept took off. Before long, the area flourished with visitors to the Square and restaurants began opening around it.”
The informal traders trading on the pavements of Mint Road have only added to the attraction for shoppers to the area.

With the Square attracting its fair share of local visitors and tourists each year, Discount Cycle and Toys on Mint Road had created a huge indoor flea market in 2007.
Visitors now have more stalls to peruse and will spend more time – and lots of money – in the area, which will be of great benefit to the economy.
You will also be tempted by food outlets in the form of both franchises and Indian/Pakistani restaurants – pizzas, burgers and chips, curries, biryanis and whatever takes your fancy – which you will find in the Fordsburg CBD.
Restaurants such as JMOs, Ocean Basket, Panarottis, Barcelos,  Jimmys Killer Prawns, Al-Makka, Al-Mehran, Bismillah, Al-Ajmer.

If you have a sweet tooth, bakeries dotting Fordsburg will tempt your taste buds, such as Home Made Delights, Shalimar Confectionary, Divine Confectionary, Village Bakery.
If you are shopper-holic, you will find retail shops selling a large variety of household products and accessories such as paintings, furniture, spices, clothing and much more – such as Marouns Picture Framers, Décor, Asian Spice and Supermarket, After Dark designer wear.

There are hotels that will provide out-of-towners with the comfort and convenience to make trips enjoyable and worry-free, and are within walking distance to the Square. Hotels such as The Fordsburg Towers, The Fordsburg Inn, The Orient.
And you will never be stranded without cash because two major banking institutions – the Standard Bank and First National Bank – border the Square area; whilst other banks are situated around Fordsburg.

…..  and you will still find more restaurants, retail outlets and hotels to choose from.

Fordsburg CBD has become a tourist attraction for upcoming international events, and the much-anticipated 2010 World Cup, because everything a tourist may need for his/her comfort, convenience and fun, can be found there.
The Square has come a long way from its stumbling past and will ensure a successful pull of tourists into Fordsburg.
So if you are looking for a place to stay, a venue convenient to all your needs, then you must come to Fordsburg where you will feel that you are Home away from Home!!!