SANDF reveals its Rand Show plans:

“We’re back with a big bang!” These were the words of Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga, spokesperson for the SANDF, addressing members of the press at the recent media launch of the Rand Show 2012. And it would appear that he’s not kidding. The four arms of the SANDF – the army, airforce, navy and health services – have put together an action-packed programme for Rand Show visitors this year.

The army will, in the words of Major Merle Meyer from Army Communications, be “bringing the game reserve”. Come and take a closer look at a Mamba, Ratel, Rooikat and Olifant, and the Meerkat, Zebra, Husky and Duisendpoot from the army maintenance division. There will also be an MK2 tank and a tank transporter – great fun to clamber about in. Visitors will also be able to test your skill in the Elac, the Defence Force’s shooting simulator. “It won’t cost you a cent, but your ego might well take a dip,” jokes Meyer.

In the airforce zone, there will be a Rooivalk helicopter on display, as well as a fire truck and displays of survival kits and exhibits on aircraft mechanics. The navy will exhibit a harbour patrol boat, as well as the SUT 264 and the E14 DAPHNE torpedoes, a 40/50 Bofor canon, a Browning machine gun and SS 77 machine gun, as well as a Skerpioen surface-to-surface missile.

The navy’s hydrography display will feature a survey motor boat, side-scan sonar and a remote operating vehicle. Let the kids wave at the navy divers inside the tank at the diving display, while you check out the deep-diving and underwater damage control equipment.

The Military Health Service (SAMHS) has an interactive programme lined up for visitors. SAMHS personnel will be teaching basic first aid, and running a competition where children will learn how to clean shoes and make beds well enough to pass an army inspection (let’s hear a “hooray” from all the moms). Dieticians will also be giving healthy-living briefings, and there’s a basic fitness competition to test whether you would be fit enough to join SAMHS.

And then of course, there’s an action-packed programme of displays in the Rand Show arena. Airshow demonstrations, air drops, simulated combat scenes, dog performances, SANDF bands ... expect thrills, big bangs, and impressive displays of the Defence Force’s capabilities.

“We promise Rand Show visitors a spectacular event this year,” says Brigadier General Mabanga. “The SANDF is confident that our participation will live up to this world-class event.”

Man takes on machine:

In a challenge which pits muscle versus metal, the Rand Show will present Man vs Machine, an extreme stunt show that promises to amaze visitors. Five-times national trials bike champion, Dylan Victor, and multiple national champion and motorcycle trials legend, Brian Capper, are going head to head in an epic battle this Easter holiday.

From 6 to 15 April, come and see two daily shows where the best in ‘man-power’, Victor on his trials bike, will take on the best in ‘machine-power’, Capper on his motorcycle.

They’ll be ramping over 3 metre-high obstacles on one wheel, jumping over brave volunteers from the crowd, climbing up ladders, and doing the kind of stunts no ordinary person would dare attempt on two wheels. To make it even more entertaining, two of South Africa's best BMX riders will be joining the crew to perform back flips, ‘Supermans’ and 360s.

And if crazy stunts are your scene, make sure you don’t miss the daredevil fire tunnel stunt being performed over the Easter weekend by world record holders Enrico Schoeman and André de Kock. In their Kawasaki racing motorcycle-sidecar combo, the two stunt-riders will rocket through a 25m-long blazing tunnel of fire, where temperatures get up to 900 degrees.

Get your sea legs ready for the Rand Show’s boat show:

From 6 to 15 April, come and enjoy the last few days of summer out by the lake. The Rand Show Lake, that is, where the annual boat show will be in full float. A perennial favourite with Rand Show visitors, the boat show will once again feature some of the most to-die-for craft on the water, brought to you by some of the leading brands in the business.

Twin Boats & Trailers will once again be floating the full range of locally designed and manufactured Sensation boats, known for their great value for money. There’s the entry-level Sensation 17 DL with a Mercury 115 HP Optimax, at a special show price of R165 000, the mid-range Sensation 22 SXI with a Mercruizer 5 l MPI 260 HP, and the Sensation 1900 LS with engines ranging from 150 to 200 HP.

This year, Twin Boats will also launch its new model, the Sensation 22SX with a Mercury 200 HP Optimax engine. And off the lake, Rand Show visitors will be the first to see Twin Boats’ brand-new range of home-grown Sensation caravans, available at great show prices direct from the factory.

Waterworld brings with it a range of both local and imported boats. If you’re into local brands, the focus is on Angler boats with models such as Panache and the Odyssey 650. On the imported side, there is the Sea Ray 200 Sundeck with its MerCruiser 5.0L MPI ECT standard engine, and the Supra Sunsport 22V.

The company will also be exhibiting its range of Sea-Doo jetskis, including the super-fast RXT-X RS with its 0-30 mph acceleration time of just 1.7 seconds. There will also be the Sea-Doo sportsboat range, Can-Am quads and side by sides, and Evinrude outboard motors.

Finally, Boating International will be displaying its entire 2012 range, including the ever-popular Sunsport range with the all-new Sunsport 2350. Also in the line-up is the offshore boat range of Ace Glider models, and its imported ranges of Sea-Doo watercraft with the new 2012 models on display.

Boating International will also be displaying the Malibu Boats, the world’s top-selling wakeboard and water ski craft. Come and see the Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV with its 555hp super-charged Cadillac motor, and the Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ, declared the ultimate wakeboard boat at this year’s Europe and African Wakeboard Championships held in South Africa in February.

Sun and sand:

Wish you could be at the seaside this Easter? Then wish no more. Because Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) and the province’s Department of Economic Development (DEDT) and Tourism is teaming up with the Rand Show to bring the beauty and excitement of the Zulu Kingdom to Gauteng. From 6 to 15 April, the beach is coming to Joburg, in the Rand Show’s latest attraction: the Zulu Kingdom Beachfront Spectacular.

TKZN and the DEDT will transform 3 800sqm of the Rand Show showgrounds into a beach-themed festival complete with a giant sandy beach area, to give you a taste of the exceptional offerings of the Zulu Kingdom. Making a huge splash will be the Flying Fools High-Dive Show, a Rand Show exclusive. Hailing from Canada, the Flying Fools will present three daily shows packed with crazy stunts and equally funny antics.

From heights up to 25 metres, the Flying Fools launch themselves into the air in acrobatic dives, landing in a pool just three metres deep. Criss-crossing in the air, tumbling and twisting, the Flying Fools high divers will captivate young and old with their Olympic-style dives.

On the custom-built sandy beach, you won’t find any toned lifeguards to ogle or waves to catch, but you’ll be suitably impressed by the incredible sand sculptures created by professional sand art-ists from Durbs. These giant, intricate sand confections will make the little bucket-and-spade castles of our childhoods look like mere cupcakes. For those who’re inspired to try out this art for themselves, there’s space enough on the giant beach for the whole family’s castle-building en-deavours.

There’ll also be social beach volleyball, so grab a team-mate and join in a game, or come drum with Drum Cafe to feel the beat of KwaZulu-Natal. Enjoy a mobile massage, or just chill out on the sand and take in the dancers, fire jugglers and live music.

On the final weekend of the show – 14 to 15 April – catch all the action at the Volleyball Tournament, where eight semi-professional teams will be battling it out on the sand.

You’ll also be able to party with 5fm’s DJ Fresh, who’ll be getting his beach vibe on as he gets the crowds going with his super-hot set on Saturday, 14 April from 14:00 to 16:00. He’ll be joined on the beach by Michael Mabuyakhulu, MPP and MEC for Economic Development & Tourism, who’s coming up from KZN to meet the public and hand out some great KZN giveaways.

Kids, come play soccer and cricket:

Whether your children like to shout “Laduma!” or “Howzat!”, there’s going to be heaps of sporting fun at the Rand Show this Easter.

Soccer:

Every day throughout the Rand Show’s run, bring the kids for a work-out in the Rand Show Soccer Zone. From 9:00 to 11:00, professional soccer coaches will put the kids through their paces on the custom-designed five-a-side mobile pitch, as they practise their ball skills, passing and shooting.

After 11:00, it’s time for the kids’ to put their soccer skills to the test. Come along and join a five-a-side team as the Soccer Zone coaches organise impromptu matches throughout the day.

On Saturday, 14 April, eight teams of under-privileged children from Greenfields, Thokoza and Soweto will compete in the Rand Show’s first-ever Soccer Tournament, sponsored by Mitsubishi, Jeep, VW, KIA, Hyundai, MotorDeal Nissan, Motordeal Geely, Dadas Motorland, GWM Springs, Tata Highlands North, and Honda Westrand. Each child in the winning team will walk away with a cash prize.

Cricket:

The KFC Mini-Cricket team is coming to the Rand Show on Saturday, 7 April, and they’re bringing two Lions cricket players with them.

From 9:00 to 16:00, kids can test their skills and experience the KFC Mini-Cricket programme in four inflatable KFC Action Zones, and get coaching tips and tricks from the Lions pros. There’ll also be time for autographs and photos. KFC Mini-Cricket equipment sets and T-shirts will be given away as prizes throughout the day.

All the sporting action is going down at the Rand Show this Easter, from 6-15 April, so warm up those muscles and see you at the showgrounds.

The Rand Show 2012

When: From Friday, 6 April to Monday, 15 April. Gates open each day at 9:00 and close at 18:00, although the show will remain open until 20:00.
Where: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Rand Show Road, Nasrec. (GPS – S26° 14810’ E27° 58695’)
Cost: Adults – R80; pensioners over 65 – R40; kids (12 to 16 years) – R40; kids (six to 12 years) - R20; kids under six years – free. Tickets are available at the gate or through Computicket (there is no surcharge on Computicket tickets).
Value: Your ticket gets you free entry to events as published on the web.