22 March 2005
The Rand Show has been hailed as the most consistently successful consumer exhibition in Africa.
The organisers reckon up to half a million people will turn up for this year’s event – running from 18 March to 3 April at the Expo Centre at Nasrec in the south of Johannesburg – and they’ve lined up a stunning range of entertainment and shopping opportunities for visitors.
More than R20-million has been invested by Kagiso Exhibitions, the owners of the show, to stage this year’s event. It will boast the biggest and best line-up of chart-topping local musicians, a jam-packed exhibitor base and an awesome animal carnival. There is also the long-awaited return of A-grade show-jumping.
On Saturday 2 April the showgrounds will thump to the township mixes of Brown Dash, MXO, Tokollo and Malaika and the hip-hop beats of Skwatta Kamp at the Metro FM Music Festival. It is one of the music year’s not-to-missed shows, and is on from 2pm until 8.30pm.
Before the weekend is over, there is the YFM Youth Music Festival – on Sunday 3 April from 1pm. Among others, it will feature the popular kwaito sounds of Mandoza, Kabelo, Lebo, Hip Hop Panstula and the ever-popular Brothers of Peace. It ends at 8.30pm.
Visitors will be spoiled for choice as more than 550 local and international exhibitors are displaying and selling their wares at the Rand Show’s exhibitor halls this year. Tomorrow’s Home, an exhibition of home furniture, electrical and decor products and leisure products, is being staged in Halls Six to Eight.
The Global Trader’s Hall features exhibitions from around the world, in pavilions from India, Egypt, Syria, Iran and Pakistan, among other countries. Informal traders and crafters have set up camp at the Terrace.
The SABC TV and Radio stall features competitions, shows and broadcasts, giving visitors an opportunity to sit in real TV or radio studios. Television presenters and radio DJs will also be at the show to meet and greet their fans.
For something a little wilder, “Blunt” magazine has come to the party for the Rand Show Xtreme Street Sport Championships 2005, which will feature amateur and pro-challenge skateboarding, BMX riding, a Graffiti Art Challenge and the ASA Xtreme Stunt Shows, among other daring feats.
For those who prefer their extreme sports a little safer, but no less thrilling, there is the 4×4 Experience, an advanced off-road track with mud beds, descents and ascents and the opportunity to drive in a 4×4 with an experienced driver.
Animal lovers will have a ball at the Animal Carnival Pet Expo and Touch Farm, where they will be entertained and educated about responsible care and respect for all animals. For younger visitors there are talks about protecting animals, the environment and the preservation of our ecological heritage.
To find out more about what’s on offer at this year’s Rand Show, visit the Rand Show website.
Source: City of Johannesburg
