The Swartland Show, one of the most anticipated agricultural events in the Western and Southern Cape, is set to mark its 90th anniversary with its largest and most exciting showcase yet.
Running from Wednesday, 4 to Saturday, 7 September, the show promises to offer a diverse and engaging programme for the entire family, reflecting nearly a century of agricultural heritage and community spirit.
The show, which annually draws around 20 000 visitors, is renowned for its expansive R320 million machinery exhibition, featuring cutting-edge technology from leading brands. Afgri returns as the anchor sponsor, underscoring the event’s significance in the agricultural calendar.
Largest beef cattle showcase
President Jacques Bester expressed his pride in celebrating this milestone: “What began as a modest gathering of local farmers exchanging ideas on sowing techniques and crop improvement has, thanks to unwavering community support, evolved into one of South Africa’s most prominent agricultural and machinery shows.”
This year’s highlight is the Western Cape’s largest beef cattle show, featuring over 400 cattle. The interbreed championship will showcase a range of breeds including SA Angus Black and Red, SA Hereford, SA Simmentalers, SA Santa Gertrudis, SA Charolais, and SA Afrikaner, all vying for prestigious awards.
The horse show will also be a major draw, with approximately 400 horses from various breeds such as Flemish, Hackney, and saddle horses. Saturday’s events will include performances from top horses and the traditional 8-team carriage horses, a perennial favourite among attendees.
New highlights and key events at 90th Swartland Show
For the first time, the Swartland Show will host the shearing championships in collaboration with the SA Sheep Shearing Federation and Dr Jasper Cloete from the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute.
On Saturday, shearers will compete in six different classes, with 300 sheep set to be sheared. “Witness the skill and expertise of our shearers and scholar shearers as they vie for a spot in the 2025 National Championships,” invites Bester.
Other exciting attractions include the BKB & FNB Merino Championships, SA Meat Merino Super 10 Championships, OVK Interbreed Exhibition, and the annual slaughter lamb competition. The poultry section will display purebred show poultry, and the Youth Show will feature over 230 students from across the Western Cape competing in 11 disciplines.
On the Friday, Grain SA will host an agricultural seminar titled “Agriculture 2025: Where are we going?” for 400 guests. The seminar will be chaired by Theo Vorster, CEO of Galileo Capital. It will feature insights from agricultural experts Sean Walsh of the KAL Group, Dr Frikkie Maré from the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), and Dr Dirk Strydom from Grain SA.
The Afgri Women’s Day on the Wednesday will see over 500 women gathering in the InteliGro Wine Garden, with Marciel Hopkins as the guest speaker and musical entertainment by The Muses String Quartet. The 2024 Swartland Show Queen will also be crowned during the show dance on 30 August.
The Swartland Show will also feature a variety of stalls, live performances from artists including Jay, Chris Else, Viljoen Retief, Dodo Nyoka, and Jan Rhaap, and numerous activities for children.
Tickets are available through Ticketpro and at the gates, priced at R50 for Wednesday, R70 for Thursday, R100 for Friday, and R150 for Saturday. Discounts are offered for children, pensioners, groups, and multi-day tickets.
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