Fordsburg Square

Fordsburg Square is a public space in the heart of Johannesburg's Fordsburg district, surrounded by commercial buildings and market areas. The central open space functions as a meeting point for regular markets and community gatherings throughout the year.

The square played a central role in 1922 during the Rand Rebellion, when striking miners fought against South African police, army, and air force units. This event marked a critical moment in the country's labor history.

The square shows how Fordsburg changed from a mining community into a center for Indian and Pakistani businesses, restaurants, and cultural activities. These communities shape what you see and experience when you walk through the space today.

The square is easily accessible and offers plenty of open space for exploring and observing the busy market activity. Visitors should note that the municipal toilets are the only original structure remaining on the square and can serve as an orientation point.

A blue plaque installed on the municipal toilets in 1913 honors the square's role in the 1922 uprising against wage cuts. This commemorative marker on such an ordinary structure makes an overlooked building into a place of remembrance.

Location: Johannesburg

GPS coordinates: -26.20477,28.02090

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:43