Programme director
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is my privilege to welcome you at the official opening of the Tshwane International Show, one of the City of Tshwane's biggest entertainment events. For 70 years this show was known as the Pretoria Show, and now a new era has dawned on this event, which is now called the Tshwane International Show.
During the next nine days millions of rands will be injected into the City's Gross Geographical Product by the large number of visitors, exhibitors and service providers who capitalise on the show's elaborate offering of entertainment and shopping opportunities.
The show has become renowned as a festival of diversity, culture and lifestyle, and a celebration of the legacy that is South African agriculture.
It is one of the biggest shows in South Africa, presented on more than 42 000 square meters of undercover exhibition halls, 30 000 square meters of outside exhibition space, two arenas, an amusement park, kiddies area and several food outlets. Some 500 commercial exhibitors, including importers of international goods, ensure super shopping specials in more than 200 product categories, ranging from sport, motor vehicles, home ware, appliances and educational products to furniture, boats and caravans.
Since the show's humble beginnings in 1939 on the lawns in front of the City Hall the show has not only moved to its present location, but has grown from its former size of only two halls the Skilpad hall and Hall B to the present 39 hectare Tshwane Events Centre.
Today, the show has two main divisions, the commercial and industrial division and the Agricultural division, making the Tshwane International Show the biggest combined commercial and agricultural consumer show in the country. The agricultural section of the show is booming, with highlights this year being the National Pinzgauer Championships, the Provincial Tentpegging Championships and the Alzu World Qualifying Round in Show jumping.
It excites me to see that young people are included in the agricultural side of the show, with the first interschool slaughter lamb competition that is being held this weekend. Two agricultural schools close to Pretoria will compete to decide which school will show the champion group slaughter lamb during the show.
Add to that the participants in all the other sections of the agricultural show, the horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, fancy pigeons and poultry and a total of more than 2 000 entrants will be competing in a variety of championships. Not only are we as visitors to the show witness to some of the top stud animals in our country, but we can also experience the future of agricultural in South Africa.
It is heartening to see that agriculture is playing such a major role at the Show - right here in the heart of South Africa's Capital City. The Gauteng Agricultural Expo, organised by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is being held in Hall H. It gives farmers, small BEE companies in agriculture and input suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products and interact with farming clientele within and outside the province during the show.
This is the first expo of its kind in Gauteng and the aim is to have two expos per year, one as part of the Tshwane International Show, and one as a dedicated agricultural show. The Tshwane Events Centre being the only venue of its kind in Gauteng,offering exhibition and stabling facilities for up to 3 000 animals and 500 commercial exhibitors at the same time, it stands to reason that it is the logical home for showcasing and promoting the agricultural sector in our province.
The land reform policy has the potential to change the face of South African agriculture and the rural landscape. I am told that Tshwabac, the organisers of the Tshwane International Show, is consulting and negotiating a project for emerging farmers to play a more dominant role, together with government and other roleplayers, in ensuring successful land reform and creating successful commercial black farmer through post settlement support. I trust that interventions at the show will assist in this regard.
During the past few years this show has set an example for large events in managing waste and huge progress has been made to reduce the impact the show has on the environment.
The Show was the first show in the country to introduce a recycling project at an expo centre, setting the benchmark for others to follow. More than eight tons of animal waste and bedding will be removed and used for compost during the Show period. In fact, animal waste removed from this venue last year was used as compost in preparation of the grounds this year. Besides the waste being taken to landfill sites, jobs are created for the local community, with many people helping to collect recyclable waste.
Plastic, paper, glass, tins and general waste will be recycled as well, supported by the City of Tshwane's Waste Management and the black economic empowerment (BEE) company who has been contracted with this mammoth task. More than 17 tons of waste was recycled at the Tshwane Events Centre last year, a progressive achievement that we must all acknowledge.
More than 650 indigenous trees have been planted on the grounds to ensure a more economic approach to water usage and the prototype of the centre's biogas and biodiesel plant will be operational soon, making the Tshwane Events Centre one of the most progressive companies in the events industry as regards to environmental impact management.
On the commercial side of the show I have heard that there are a number of new exhibitors participating in this year's show, increasing the variety of offerings to visitors. These include the Municipal Demarcation Board, TOP TV, Stats SA, Overseas Visitors Club and Teba Bank.
With the abundance of entertainment on offer, the 2010 Show has all the ingredients to make this a most memorable experience, and I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate springtime this year than a visit to the show. With loads of fun, great shopping bargains, wonderful entertainment and the excellent agricultural programme this is most definitely the place to be.
The show most certainly reflects its theme of pride and passion. You should be proud of the show's legacy of more than 70 years, proud of your exhibitors and participants and about what you've established. It is now my pleasure to declare the 2010 International Tshwane Show officially open.
I wish you all the best for your event.
For more information contact:
Dumisani Zulu
Cell: 082 602 3532
