April 6, 2006
By Tammy O'Reilly
Each year the Rand Show organisers promise a spectacular event - and each year they deliver. This year, they are predicting, it will be the most spectacular show of all.
The Rand Show kicks off on Easter Friday, 14 April, becoming the centre of entertainment and shopping for thousands of people for the next 17 days, until 1 May.
Firm favourites like the SABC stand will be there again. There's a bigger and better funfair, A-grade show jumping, petting zoos, about 600 exhibitors and much more.
The Rand Show hosts an A-Grade Showjumping competition
A whopping six concerts are also planned, with cellphone company MTN sponsoring the shows.
"The bulk of the artists featured across this year's concert line-ups have been nominated for the MTN South African Music Awards in various categories, making Rand Show 2006 truly representative of the absolute talent that South Africa has to offer," says show manager Bryan Brett.
Hottest music
The first concert is the Easter Rock Festival, an old favourite with the crowds. It takes place on Saturday, 15 April from noon to 7pm in the main arena. The concert will present the hottest local acts ranging from punk and funk to alternative and mainstream rock. Groups include New Academic, Parlotones, Watershed, The Finkelsteins and Arno Carstens.
The Star/Tonight Bollywood Festival, which made its debut last year, will return on Sunday, 16 April. It is set to be a vibrant and colourful event featuring song, dance, comedy, fashion and authentic costumes synonymous with the Indian film industry.
To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, MTN Joyous Celebration will be making a much-anticipated appearance in the main arena on Sunday, April 23 from 4pm to 8pm. The show is backed by a 34-member choir, accompanied by a nine-piece band and 12 dancers led by Somizi Mhlongo and Lorcia Cooper.
The fourth concert will take place on Thursday, 27 April from 1pm to 6pm and will feature the best in Afrikaans music talent. Here the ever-popular Patricia Lewis will share the stage with Dozi, Kurt Darren and Theuns Jordaan.
The Metro FM music festival on Saturday, 29 April is one of the biggest urban concerts to take place in the country and has been the Rand Show's most popular event since its inception three years ago. The chart-topping artists featured include Kelly Khumalo, KB, HHP, Malaika and Bongo Maffin. The show is on from 1.45pm to 8.30pm.
R&B singer KB will be performing at the Metro FM music festival on 29 April
Top selling kwaito and hip-hop artist will have their turn in the limelight on Monday, 1 May when the Yfm youth music festival takes place. It showcases the best of kwaito and hip-hop and includes Lebo Mathosa, Prokid, Mzekezeke and the Yfm DJs.
All in one venue
"Visitors love the fact that they can come to the Rand Show and get so many options and offers in one single venue," says Brett, "from music, dance and edutainment through to petting zoos, 4x4s - the list really is endless."
Hall 5 has been set aside for brands and communications. Here stalls from various government departments, corporate displays and historical and cultural exhibitions will be on display.
"From an educational point of view, Hall 5 has informative and engaging exhibitions relating to social and economic initiatives, as well as safety and security talks. It's a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to absorb knowledge in an informal and stimulating setting," Brett adds.
If you're looking for a limitless display of lifestyle products and services then make sure you visit Hall 6. Stalls here will be displaying kitchens, bathrooms, and patios, garden and bar furniture to suit everyone's lifestyle and pocket.
For the first time homeowner, Halls 7 and 8 will feature furniture by well-known chain stores as well as one-of-a-kind designer furniture outlets. Some exclusive furniture and décor pieces will also be on show.
Yet again the sheer volume of furniture exhibitors will leave patrons spoilt for choice, and many exhibitors offer show discounts.
Four international pavilions will feature in the Global Traders Hall - India, Syria, Pakistan and Egypt. This hall remains a firm favourite with clothing, ornaments, confectionery, leather goods, carpets and costume jewellery on offer.
Once again organisers are taking a zero tolerance approach to unruliness. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force will be on duty throughout the show.
"There is so much to do and see visitors will find it hard to see everything in one day," says Brett. "We are encouraging people to visit the show more than once so they can experience everything we have to offer."
The show runs from 14 April to 1 May, from 10 am to 8pm daily. Tickets are R45 for adults and R20 for children under the age of 12. Entrance is free for senior citizens, provided they can produce a valid ID. Children younger than two may also enter free of charge.
For more information read www.randshow.co.za.
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