25 Jul 2024

Handing the baton one committee to the other over the course of the past 50 years, the successive organising committees of the Ghanzi Show have maintained one thing; a tenacity and an unrelenting drive to triumph over challenges.

The journey, both challenging and fulfilling, has not only been a learning curve to the committees but has given hope for a glorious future.

At helm of Ghanzi township from 1991 to 2022, Kgosi Roger Lekgothu is happy with the evolution of the show over time, having started from the most-humble of beginnings to a showstopper of an event that many vow to never miss.

As the show celebrates its golden jubilee this year, Kgosi Lekgothu anticipates even greater things, and dismisses the possibility of any decline in its fortunes in the future.

“I am confident that this show will not regress. Those who witnessed where it started can attest to this especially comparing the numbers of exhibitors that it used to attract against those it draws today,” he observed.

While he savours its overall growth, Kgosi Lekgothu would have loved this evolution to reflect in the local community, which he said had little to show as benefits from the annual event. Show committee chairperson from 2013 to 2016 Mr Jactor Marambe looks back with pride as the show celebrates the 50th year of its existence.

He assumed the chairmanship at a time when to many, the show was a mere pass-time and was confident that with the growth it had so far registered, it would soon draw the attention of international exhibitors and revellers.

For the show to realise international acclaim, he believed the show committee must embrace the call for a change of mindset and chip in by helping Botswana become the reputable events hub that the country aspired to become.

“It is not right that the show ground lies idle for almost the entire year and only springs back to life when preparations to host the show intensify. It should be put in a state where it generates revenue for the committee throughout,” he said.

He said setting up an events centre that encompassed conference facilities, having an on-site mall and lodging facilities would make the show more attractive and also change the Ghanzi landscape on the development front.

Like Kgosi Lekgothu, Mr Marambe wants the show to benefit the ordinary resident of the township and sees this happen someday in his lifetime would be a fulfilling experience.

The show, is set to be officially opened by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi today. Ends