02 Jun 2026

The gates to the premier beef spectacle will this year remain closed for thousands of cattle breeders, generational farmers and passionate spectators who view the annual Ghanzi Agricultural Show as the undisputed centrepiece of their calendar.

That follows the indefinite postponement of the 52nd edition of the event in the wake of a regional Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, joining a list of other major events pulled from this year’s calendar. 

The event was scheduled to run from July 27 to August 2.

In an interview after a recent consultative meeting with the local organising committee, Ghanzi Show Committee chairperson, Mr Mpho Molomo, said the decision followed intensive deliberations with district leadership.

“The collective decision serves as a cautious approach to prevent the spread of the contagious disease, which has already disrupted livestock movement and poses a severe biosecurity threat to the national herd,” Mr Molomo said.

He said it was a disheartening and difficult call for the leadership and organisers to make, but emphasised that such action was solely taken to protect the nation’s livestock.

He however reassured the public not to lose faith and urged urging them to view the postponement as an opportunity for the committee to return to the drawing board, regroup and deliver an exceptional show in the future.

Prior to the postponement, preparations for the iconic event were already 60 per cent complete.

Mr Molomo noted that the committee would now engage directly with sponsors to thank them for their unwavering support and ongoing commitment to maintaining the show’s prestigious status.

Ghanzi Show Livestock Exhibition chairperson, Mr Steven Vorster, applauded the district leadership’s swift action.

Mr Vorster warned that the current strain of FMD was highly transmissible, hence everyone’s responsibility to mitigate risks within their territories.

Furthermore, he assured stakeholders that the postponement would not damage the exhibition committee’s partnership with the main organising body. He also reassured the public that livestock exhibitions would resume immediately once FMD fears lingering within the farming community were cleared.

Ghanzi District Council chairperson, Mr Thabiso Kebadile, noted that because Ghanzi boasted high-quality cattle, the area had the potential to help restock other parts of the country should the need arise to assist FMD-affected zones in the future.

“The Ghanzi Agricultural Show is one of the leading national agricultural events in the country, showcasing the best breeds in the beef industry. Because of this, it attracts multitudes of spectators from all walks of life, including international visitors,” Mr Kebadile said.

He acknowledged that the postponement was a blow to the local economy, which typically enjoyed a huge boost from hospitality bookings and increased consumer spending during the week of the event.

In addition to the local FMD threat, Mr Kebadile highlighted broader regional health concerns, pointing to a current Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa.

He noted that it was crucial to temporarily pause mass-gathering events to proactively control and prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases.

He implored the organising committee to use the break to explore innovative ideas and alternative opportunities to make the event even more attractive once the suspension was lifted. ENDS