Exciting developments ahead for the Rand Show. CEO Adele Hartdegen announced a comprehensive upgrade to enhance the visitor experience, introducing a new online ticketing system, thrilling activities like helicopter flips, car drifting and renewal of license discs.

Expected to be "bigger and better, the show aims to foster family engagement and support small to medium-business partnerships.

Hartdegen, who unveiled the 2025 edition during a media launch held at the Nasrec Expo on Wednesday, indicated that following the success of last year's edition, planning for this year's instalment began as soon as the 2024 edition was put to bed.

For this, she said, they made use of extensive consumer feedback to ensure that this year's offering lives up to the high standards and expectations of their more than 80 000 patrons who have made the show their yearly pilgrimage.

Among those set to entertain the crowds are award-winning music mogul and reality TV star, DJ Zinhle, who will share the entertainment stage with a new sensation, Nkosazana Daughter, and many other artists on this year's line-up as the five-day annual event takes off from April 17 to 21.

"The Rand Show attracts more than 80 000 visitors each year as well as small and big brands. Small SMMEs can showcase alongside big brands because sometimes these small brands do not have the financial means to showcase alongside big brands.

"From the big brand perspective, the Rand Show is a great partner in terms of media exposure and big brands can form partnerships with us in a digital as well as in a face-to-face format. In this way, we can help the small fish and the big fish," she said.

Among the new and exciting elements is Mama Magic Baby Expo said to be SA's favourite parenting expo, which makes its debut this year. Also, joining the line-up of offerings will be the Big Bounce, a rugby field-sized bounce experience that has been earmarked to become a hit with kids of all ages.

"We want to make sure that when the kids come through, they can bounce around and enjoy themselves, especially around the weekend... Every year, we try to focus on our kids' zone as we try to bring something unique for everyone," she added.

The show's brand manager, Zama Masikane revealed that this year's experience will impress its visitors as all the features of the five-day family experience have been curated with the family in mind, including drivers whose license discs have expired, will be able to renew their discs while enjoying the perfectly curated Rand Show experience.

"This year, we want to give people a chance to enjoy as many activities as possible, including helicopter flips, and car drifting where car spinning enthusiasts will have a chance to jump in the front seat of a spinning.

"Music lovers will have a great time with our amazing line-up which includes DJ Zinhle and Nkosazana Daughter, who have been roped in as part of our line-up. We have also added new public service offerings that will allow visitors to renew their licenses while enjoying our range of offerings.

"We are excited over this as we have placed a big premium on all our brand offerings. We also have an SMME Hall for all our business partners and have retained our vintage theme park to ensure that the Rand Show is filled with nostalgia. All in all, we have tried to cater for everyone and as many people as possible while diversifying our offering for this edition," she said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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Rand Show transforms as 80 000 expected at SA's biggest family entertainment showcase