Date: 18/08/2005
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Thibedi: Statement at media launch of Mafikeng International Airshow
Media statement by the North West MEC for Transport and Roads, Mr Jerry Thibedi, on the media launch of the Mafikeng International Airshow held at Sheraton Hotel
The North West Provincial Government, represented by the North West Department of Transport and Roads, will be hosting an International Airshow at the Mafikeng Airport, a facility with the sixth longest runaway in the world, on 24 September 2005. The Mafikeng International Airshow is billed as the largest Airshow in the Southern African region, this year.
The first of its kind in Mafikeng, the show is set to generate a considerable amount of revenue and spectator interest from the rest of the Southern African Region, featuring as it does the aerial prowess of the neighbouring Defence Forces of Swaziland and Lesotho, as well as South Africa's own pride in both the Air Force and the Air Wing of the South African Police Service.
While Government acknowledges that an aerial exhibition of this nature may not bring job creation in the short term per se, it does hope to stimulate interest in aviation as a critical career option to its citizens. The more the population is exposed to these previously exclusive endeavours, the quicker all South Africans and our youth are actively partaking in the opportunities revealed by democracy and freedom and thus join the rest of the state organs like the South African Air Force and the South African Police Service, parastatals, private companies and other citizens in building the kind of South Africa that truly belongs to all.
Among many other things, the Mafikeng International Airshow will be used to further boost investor confidence in Mafikeng as the province's capital city as well as popularise the Mafikeng Airport.
The airshow will also promote much valuable tourism in the area, thus contributing to employment creation and poverty reduction.
It will facilitate small enterprise activity by way of vending opportunities for about 1 000 people.
Other activities will include exhibition of career opportunities in the aviation industry, fun games for children and enthusiasts and corporate networking forum to know the role-players and stimulate interest in the industry.
Over R15 million in economic spin-offs is expected to be generated by the local economy, as more than 50 000 people are expected to visit Mafikeng during this time. The following broad groups will make up some of the visitors:
* locals
* international and domestic tourists
* business people
* journalists
* politicians
* participants from different countries and/or institutions
* aviation practitioners
* students interested in aviation
* other interest groups.
The airshow will also attract participation from the:
* South African Air Force
* Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force Air Wing
* Lesotho Defence Force Air Wing
* South African Police Service Air Wing
* South African Airways
* and many more.
The South African Air Force will embark on an Aviation Awareness Campaign a week before the airshow. This will be restricted to schools in and around Mafikeng. Detailed information on the awareness will be communicated to the media in due time.
The airshow has complied with all safety regulations and conditions as prescribed by Airshow South Africa. We hope visitors to the show will adhere to safety procedures as directed by airshow personnel. This will further allow the show to run professionally, with the public safely restricted to the viewing areas. An appeal is therefore made to members of the public to listen attentively to the airshow commentators for any emergency announcement or directives.
A number of local business people in and around Mafikeng are sponsoring the event, though the North West Government (Department of Transport and Roads) is the main sponsor for the event. Since the airshow will from now on be an annual event, plans are already afoot to get all other potential sponsors on board.
The airshow organisers have requested permission for the airport to operate as an international port of entry during September 2005.
Permission in this regard is awaited.
Finally, a considerable amount of space is provided for exhibition of products. We are aware of the number of people wishing to exhibit at the show and confirm that they will be regulated. We will definitely allow a variety of products to be exhibited so that the public must be exposed to a wide range. People wishing to exhibit may contact the airshow office.
ACCOMMODATION
A minimal admission to the airshow is as follows:
* Adults: R20
* Youth: R10
* Children under age 10: Free.
Enquiries to the Mafikeng International Airshow may be directed to the Airshow Office on the following contact numbers: Tel (018) 385 1036/1038, Fax (018) 385 1037 or by e-mail to mafikengairshow@inkwazi-ms.com.
Media Enquiries:
Thabo Ndlovu
Cell: 082 418 0736
James Moche
Cell: 082 802 0585
Russel Mamabolo
Cell: 082 900 6610
Issued by: Department of Transport and Roads, North West Provincial Government
18 August 2005
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Thibedi: Statement at media launch of Mafikeng International Airshow
Media statement by the North West MEC for Transport and Roads, Mr Jerry Thibedi, on the media launch of the Mafikeng International Airshow held at Sheraton Hotel
The North West Provincial Government, represented by the North West Department of Transport and Roads, will be hosting an International Airshow at the Mafikeng Airport, a facility with the sixth longest runaway in the world, on 24 September 2005. The Mafikeng International Airshow is billed as the largest Airshow in the Southern African region, this year.
The first of its kind in Mafikeng, the show is set to generate a considerable amount of revenue and spectator interest from the rest of the Southern African Region, featuring as it does the aerial prowess of the neighbouring Defence Forces of Swaziland and Lesotho, as well as South Africa's own pride in both the Air Force and the Air Wing of the South African Police Service.
While Government acknowledges that an aerial exhibition of this nature may not bring job creation in the short term per se, it does hope to stimulate interest in aviation as a critical career option to its citizens. The more the population is exposed to these previously exclusive endeavours, the quicker all South Africans and our youth are actively partaking in the opportunities revealed by democracy and freedom and thus join the rest of the state organs like the South African Air Force and the South African Police Service, parastatals, private companies and other citizens in building the kind of South Africa that truly belongs to all.
Among many other things, the Mafikeng International Airshow will be used to further boost investor confidence in Mafikeng as the province's capital city as well as popularise the Mafikeng Airport.
The airshow will also promote much valuable tourism in the area, thus contributing to employment creation and poverty reduction.
It will facilitate small enterprise activity by way of vending opportunities for about 1 000 people.
Other activities will include exhibition of career opportunities in the aviation industry, fun games for children and enthusiasts and corporate networking forum to know the role-players and stimulate interest in the industry.
Over R15 million in economic spin-offs is expected to be generated by the local economy, as more than 50 000 people are expected to visit Mafikeng during this time. The following broad groups will make up some of the visitors:
* locals
* international and domestic tourists
* business people
* journalists
* politicians
* participants from different countries and/or institutions
* aviation practitioners
* students interested in aviation
* other interest groups.
The airshow will also attract participation from the:
* South African Air Force
* Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force Air Wing
* Lesotho Defence Force Air Wing
* South African Police Service Air Wing
* South African Airways
* and many more.
The South African Air Force will embark on an Aviation Awareness Campaign a week before the airshow. This will be restricted to schools in and around Mafikeng. Detailed information on the awareness will be communicated to the media in due time.
The airshow has complied with all safety regulations and conditions as prescribed by Airshow South Africa. We hope visitors to the show will adhere to safety procedures as directed by airshow personnel. This will further allow the show to run professionally, with the public safely restricted to the viewing areas. An appeal is therefore made to members of the public to listen attentively to the airshow commentators for any emergency announcement or directives.
A number of local business people in and around Mafikeng are sponsoring the event, though the North West Government (Department of Transport and Roads) is the main sponsor for the event. Since the airshow will from now on be an annual event, plans are already afoot to get all other potential sponsors on board.
The airshow organisers have requested permission for the airport to operate as an international port of entry during September 2005.
Permission in this regard is awaited.
Finally, a considerable amount of space is provided for exhibition of products. We are aware of the number of people wishing to exhibit at the show and confirm that they will be regulated. We will definitely allow a variety of products to be exhibited so that the public must be exposed to a wide range. People wishing to exhibit may contact the airshow office.
ACCOMMODATION
A minimal admission to the airshow is as follows:
* Adults: R20
* Youth: R10
* Children under age 10: Free.
Enquiries to the Mafikeng International Airshow may be directed to the Airshow Office on the following contact numbers: Tel (018) 385 1036/1038, Fax (018) 385 1037 or by e-mail to mafikengairshow@inkwazi-ms.com.
Media Enquiries:
Thabo Ndlovu
Cell: 082 418 0736
James Moche
Cell: 082 802 0585
Russel Mamabolo
Cell: 082 900 6610
Issued by: Department of Transport and Roads, North West Provincial Government
18 August 2005
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