Various City departments held a successful showing at the Rand Show this year, keeping thousands of participants glued to interactive exhibitions throughout the long Easter weekend. The Rand Show was also used to stage the Public Safety Day, which happened on the first day of the large-scale consumer exhibition, marking the City’s official participation in the annual event, which attracted a diverse range of exhibitors, vendors, and visitors.

The public safety parade consisted of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Joburg’s eastern neighbour, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), and the City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS).

All these public safety units marched slowly and solemnly on the Rand Show exhibition grounds, creating a prestigious and memorable parade with a marching band.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, inspected the troops with great 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 Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.

The Rand Easter Show, now rebranded the Rand Show, has a long and rich history, dating back to 1894, and has become a beloved tradition for many patrons from across Gauteng and the country in general.

Since it opened its doors to visitors 39 years ago, the Rand Show has had a tight relationship with the City, providing the municipality with an outstanding opportunity to interact with visitors and residents to showcase its capabilities.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rand Show was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. However, organisers managed to bring it back last year with new safety protocols in place.

​The collaboration with the City has given the public safety department an opportunity to hold its annual Public Safety Day during the first of the five days of the Easter showcase.

Cllr Tshwaku said that through collaborative relationship with the Rand Show, the Public Safety Department was given the recognition it deserves.

“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 City’s capabilities and assure residents that they are safe,” he said.

​JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the Public Safety stand inside one of the major halls at the Rand Show showcased all there is about the City’s 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.

“Our objective was to show the residents of Johannesburg our readiness for the Easter holidays to ensure their safety, making sure everyone arrives alive to their desired destination,” said Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for the City’s EMS.

Mulaudzi said 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,” he said.

Overall, this year’s Rand Show presented patrons with a lively and exciting atmosphere, with the event attracting thousands of patrons from all levels of society. The five-day show featured a variety of exhibits, including live music performances, food and beverage stalls, outdoor and adventure activities, gaming, technology showcases, agriculture, and automotive showcases, to list a few.

Attendees participated in a variety of interactive activities, including carnival rides, petting zoos, and career expos. There was also a display of luxury vehicles, antiques, and home appliances, with the overall show providing a fun-filled experience for the entire family.

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 plenty of fun activities for the entire family.

Craig Newman, the Group CEO of GL Events, the organiser of the Rand Show, was excited that people purchased tickets and flocked to the Nasrec Expo Centre to engage in plenty of fun activities.

Written by Getrude Mamabolo

07/04/2023