Fordsburg Square

At Fordsburg square flea market in Johannesburg’s historic Indian suburb Fordsburg, you may come across anything from spiced chai tea, to costume jewellery, basmati rice and Bollywood DVDs. An evening shopping mecca for Fordsburg locals, the market is a riot of colours and tastes straight from the Indian sub-continent. While many spice traders and clothing stalls can be found on the small covered square during the day, it is in the evenings when the market really comes alive, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights as people stream in to spend the evening shopping and eating their way through the evening. All the traders are very friendly and keen to engage shoppers in cheerful conversation as you haggle over the prices and the market hums with the sounds of Bollywood music and local gossip. As you browse the market you cannot escape the delicious aromas of spicy Indian kebabs and tandoori chicken being grilled by the side of the street. Stop in at one of the many Indian restaurants in the area for a quick bite and for dessert a piece of one of the honey-drenched ‘sweetmeats’ topped with coconut and available in every colour of the rainbow is irresistible.