Rand Show a roaring success
The Rand Show was also used to stage Public Safety Day, which happened on the first day of the large-scale consumer exhibition, marking the citys official participation in the annual event, which attracted a diverse range of exhibitors, vendors, and visitors.
Various City of Johannesburg departments held successful showcases at the five-day Rand Show, keeping thousands of participants glued to the interactive exhibitions from April 6 to 10.
The Rand Show was also used to stage the Public Safety Day on the first day of the large-scale consumer exhibition. This was marking the citys official participation in the annual event, which attracted a diverse range of exhibitors, vendors and visitors.
The public safety parade consisted of SAPS members, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Joburgs eastern neighbour, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), and the citys Emergency Management Services (EMS).
All these public safety units marched slowly on the Rand Show exhibition grounds, creating a prestigious and memorable parade with a marching band.
MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku inspected the troops with enthusiasm and serious conduct, ahead of his opening address.
The MMC was joined by the acting head of the Department of Public Safety, Tebogo Modiba, senior EMS officials, the acting chief of the JMPD, Angie Mokasi and their counterparts from the neighbouring EMPD.
The Rand Easter Show, now rebranded as Rand Show has a rich history, dating back to 1894 and has become a beloved tradition for many patrons from across Gauteng and the country.
The Rand Show had a tight relationship with the city since it opened its doors to visitors 39 years ago, providing the municipality with an outstanding opportunity to interact with visitors and residents to showcase its capabilities.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they cancelled the Rand Show in 2020 and 2021. However, organisers brought it back last year with new safety protocols.
The collaboration with the city allowed the public safety department to hold its annual Public Safety Day during the first of the five days of the Easter showcase.
According to Tshwaku, their collaboration with the Rand Show granted the Public Safety Department the recognition it deserved.
We are extremely excited about how the partnership with the Rand Show has grown over the years. This show has become one of the most crowd-pullers, enabling us to showcase the citys capabilities and assure residents they are safe, Tshwaku said.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the public safety stand inside one of the major halls at the Rand Show showcased the citys public safety department.
We have officers deployed for traffic management, ensuring that patrons are safe within and outside the facility of the Nasrec Expo Centre, Fihla said.
Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for the city’s EMS, said their objective was to show the residents of Johannesburg their readiness for the Easter holidays, making sure everyone arrives alive to their desired destination.
The city would use the Rand Show as an impetus to continue community engagements on fire safety and awareness ahead of the cold winter months.
We will be intensifying public education programmes to alert residents about the need to observe comprehensive safety tips, Mulaudzi said.
In the end, it was the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) exhibition stand that stole the show with interactive exhibits, including military ordnances, army artillery, elaborate armoured vehicles, military trucks, tractors, boats, motorcycles, military software, army drones and fun activities for the entire family.
