The 2024 Mpumalanga Show ‘biggest and best’ yet
The seventh Mpumalanga Show took place from 5 to 7 September at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Launched in 2017, the Mpumalanga Show annually brings together Mpumalanga’s critical sectors – agriculture, forestry, wildlife, tourism, and mining – in a strategic location.
The 2024 event attracted almost 26 000 people from all over the province and surrounds over the three days.
A total of 3 638 learners visited the show on the special day for schools on Thursday and 180 exhibitors, excluding the 60 exhibitors in the Buco tent, put their products and services on display. Approximately 500 people used the park-and-ride facilities on offer.
Spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Show Lyzelle van Wyk says the 2024 show was the biggest and best show in the history of the event.
“The feedback that we received from artists, exhibitors and visitors was overwhelmingly positive and we could not be happier.
“It has created opportunities to benefit individuals, stakeholders, business, and Mpumalanga as a whole. Most accommodation establishments, including those in the townships surrounding Nelspruit, were fully booked, hugely benefitting the economy and tourism sectors of the province,” she says.
Like always, the livestock exhibitions attract a lot of interest from visitors. This year a total of 296 chickens, 46 cattle, 36 miniature horses, 12 horses, six ponies, four alpaca, 12 pigs, 30 goats, 30 sheep, nine bull terriers, five geese, 14 ducks and 14 turkeys were on display.
Visitors could also learn more about Tilapia fish farming and aquaponics.
Many exhibitors and food vendors have also reported that most stock was sold out by Saturday afternoon, a testament to the financial success of the show.
The show also created jobs for 250 cleaners, caterers, and car and security guards from the Mataffin community and 220 other staff from other service providers.
“One of the highlights of the show was when the premier of Mpumalanga pledged the government’s support for the show going forward. We are very excited about the future of this partnership,” Lyzelle says.
The date for the 2025 show will be announced soon.
