Ambitious Ghanzi Show loading

Correspondent | Friday May 3, 2019 13:03

A premier forum for farmers, parastatals, government agencies, companies, and small traders to showcase services and goods, the annual attraction brings life to the dusty township with between 3, 000 and 5, 000 people visiting daily on the last two days of the event, to see over 300 Exhibitors.

The Ghanzi Show Trust run show has various activities that create a platform for educational, marketing and advertisement as well as leisure opportunities and attracts interest from as far as the Republic of South Africa and Namibia.

The animal sector, which includes a range of breed’s competitions and normally ends with an auction, creates a forum for farmers who are renowned for producing good quality Bulls, Bucks, Rams and breeding heifers of international standard to compete against themselves and show their gene depth and diversity but has little corporate sponsorship according to the show committee.

Though crop production is unpopular, the district has reportedly experienced tremendous growth in terms of area cultivated and yield production and further growth is anticipated with the adoption of irrigation technology and government support.

The educational sector has had setbacks due to absence of competition which resulted in poor quality exhibits according to the show committee. To ignite competition and quality, judging and awards was proposed. The beauty contest, an advertisement and fund raising activity as well as a forum for educational and awareness for aspiring institutions, is also an opportunity for aspiring young models to take part in the show build-up.

The queen is used in the protocol and awards ceremony.

The football tournament which has been missing in the action due to lack of funds is also being given a shot in the arm. The people’s most popular sport will be used as a build –up to the show in an effort to bring about district teams participation.

Other activities include the prize giving and dinner session and horse race, which according to the committee is a crowd puller and therefore an important part the show. The wildlife exhibition which creates awareness of game ranching, domestication and conservation is also expected to be part of the attractions.

Gate takings collection and accountability has been a concern for the committee for a while and has made serialisation of the entrance tickets and hand cables to identify exhibitors, officials and Very Important People (VIPs) a necessity.

Though they face challenges ranging from quality service provision from the locals and poor funding, the show committee has ambitions for permanent state of the art structures designed to suit international standards.

These developments include; perimeter fence, arena, shade area, horse race track, game cages, Office and Show magazine.