March 18, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
ORGANISERS are expecting a huge turnout at the Rand Show when the gates open on Friday, 18 March 2005. The show - a Joburg institution - will feature a wide range of entertainment and shopping opportunities for visitors.
The annual show has been hailed as the most consistently successful consumer exhibition in Africa and the 2005 Rand Show marks the 110th anniversary of the event. It will run from 18 March to 3 April at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, in the south of Johannesburg.
According to the organisers, the show is expected to draw about 500 000 visitors this year. "It is all systems go with preparations, infrastructure repairs, maintenance, grooming of the 51 hectare site and artist rehearsals for the 2005 event."
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.
Visitors will be treated to a variety of musical performances, including "The Star Tonight's" Bollywood Festival, the ever-popular Metro FM Music Festival and the highly entertaining YFM Youth Music Festival.
The Bollywood Festival will be held at the main arena on Sunday, 20 March at 4.30pm. Steeped in the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, there are several items in the programme, covering Indian fashion, dance, music and theatre. Jankaar School of Dance in Lenasia and Radha Krishna Dance Theatre in Johannesburg will perform.
Mervyn Pillay, the Bollywood impersonator, is expected to be one of the main attractions. He will perform renditions of Bollywood movie hits, before the finale, a Bollywood-style fashion show featuring the latest fashions from the big screen.
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 expected to display and sell their wares at the Rand Show's exhibitor halls this year. Tomorrow's Home, an exhibition of home furniture, electrical and décor products and leisure products, will be staged in Halls Six to Eight.
The Global Trader's Hall will feature exhibitions from around the world, in pavilions from India, Egypt, Syria, Iran and Pakistan, among other countries. Informal traders and crafters will set up camp at the Terrace.
The SABC TV and Radio stall will feature 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 4x4 Experience, an advanced off-road track with mud beds, descents and ascents and the opportunity to drive in a 4x4 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 website at www.randshow.co.za
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