Thabazimbi Game and Tourism Expo

Fans can enjoy a fantastic show from Theuns Jordaan, who has taken the South African music scene by storm. Theuns will be performing be on live on the main stage on the opening night of the Expo, Thursday, 30 April. After releasing his triple platinum debut album in 1999, entitled "Vreemde Stad", he has made his way into all South African's hearts. His deeply emotive voice will definitely capture audiences, along with his spell bounding performances which is sure to draw one into his musical performance extravaganza. Audiences can also look forward to exciting live stage acts from Steve Hofmeyr, Robbie Wessels, DJ Ossewa, Bok van Blerk, a fun “Boere Orkes” and African Dancers.

This year's expo will offer an action packed weekend for young and old. Fun-filled activities include: the Annual Ready-Steady-Bush cook; the Kwëvoël Potjiekos competition, a breath-taking birds of prey open air presentation; the classic Cobra Vintage Car Show; high-energy mud-rides, adventurous helicopter rides; the daring Fear Factor competition; the infamous Wildsbokafslag competition; fun bosveldspele (Chilly eating, mampoer tasting and “koedoedrol spoeg”), Mr and Miss Thaba Expo, a Horse Show, Kudu Quad Fun Run, Game drives to Marakele National Park, 60m Bar and a very exciting satellite Bar with The Kwêvoël's own German Beer and a very sociable wine garden with delicious Liqueurs. There will also be plenty of kiddie's entertainment all weekend round.

With so many activities happening this year at the expo, one must not forget about the Annual Ready-Steady-Bush Cook Out that will take place on Friday, 1 May 2009 close to the Thabazimbi Spar stage. This year, the very eager Beeld team will compete with festival-goers to see who will be the King of Bush Cooking. The action will start at 11:30 -13:30. Two teams from the crowd will be selected, making this competition even more exhilarating. Scrumptious (secret) ingredients for this cook -off bash are provided and teams have to decide what they want to make and prepare it in under 20 minutes. Teams have to prepare a mouth-watering starter, main course and dessert. Hannes van Wyk (Egoli) and Johrne van Huyssteen (Ddisselbom) who are the MC's for the weekend will get a chance to have their say about every team, acting as both the judges and commentators. The crowd will be asked to vote for their favourite team. So, for a good laugh and lots of fun, don't miss out on this action on Friday from 11:30 - 13:30.

From 8:00am on Saturday, 2 May, the fires will be lit again for the annual Kwëvoël Potjiekos competition. Potjiekos enthusiasts will bring their potjie gear and ingredients to compete in the challenge from early till late on the last day of the expo. A minimum of four people are allowed per team and team members can visit the local newspaper, The Kwêvoël, for entry forms. The editor of The Kwêvoël, Pieter Coetzee, will take the lead together with Gerrie Pretorius in entertaining the crowd with friendly chatter and jokes next to the Potjiekos fires. This year Vodacom will be getting involved by sponsoring prizes worth R10 000, which just goes to show that Vodacom are not just good at talking but also at cooking. Prizes to look forward to this year's Kwëvoël Potjiekos competition are two weekends away sponsored by El Shadai and The Livingstone Guesthouse worth separately at R3000, a helicopter ride, Shoprite vouchers worth a R1000, LA Sports prizes worth R3000, a Rooibok, Landrover prizes, Swakuru products worth R500 and R600 worth of prizes from the Adventure Supply Company.

For those not too fond of cooking there will be a Birds of Prey open air presentation taking place on 2 May at 12:30pm to 13:30pm at the Thabazimbi Spar Stage. The South African Birds of Prey Centre will be joining us all the way from Johannesburg to display a wide variety of Birds of Prey. These incredible animals will be fed and shown in flight during the show. This centre is a rehabilitation centre for injured and sick birds of prey. Spectators are welcome to make donations after the presentation.

All car lovers should definitely diarise 2 May for the fleet of 15 to 20 Cobra Vintage cars that will be on display from 9:00am to 17:00pm at the old lapha area, which is situated close to the satellite beer garden.

On the 1 May, contestants can start to enter the adventure packed mud ride competition at 7:00am. The gates will open at 8:00am for the public and the first race will kick off at 9:00am. The entry fee for race contenders is R300 and the spectator entry fee is R40 for adults and R20 for children. Sponsors have a great opportunity to sponsor “holes' where they will have the opportunity to advertise strategically on the mud ride course. Contestants are required to bring their own vehicles and directions shall be given two days prior to the event. The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and prizes for the competition include great 4x4 accessories, tyres, outdoor equipment and camping gear. Participants are advised not to dress in their Sunday attire.

All should take the opportunity to see the spectacular aerial views of the beautiful and scenic Thabazimbi landscape with an exciting helicopter ride. The first helicopter rides will launch on 1 May on both the Friday and Saturday morning at 9:30am. The rides will continue each day until sunset. Tickets for the ride will be on sale on the Friday morning at 7:00am. Ticket prices are R120 per person (children according to law are required by law to have their own seat and therefore will have to pay full price as well) for a breath-taking 3 minute ride.

A change is as good as a holiday and a change is definitely on the table at this year's expo. A newcomer to this year's expo is Fear Factor, taking place on the rugby field on both the 1st and 2nd of May from 9:00am to 16:00pm. There shall be nine different group challenges for contestants to complete and the bravest of the bravest will be crowned as the winners at the end of each day. Contestants can look forward to mouth-watering snacks such as; “hoender pote”, “skaap peertjies”, “beesmis koekies” and many more that is just far too revolting to mention. No wonder it comes highly recommended to bring your toothbrush with to rid of the not- so- friendly aftertaste. Wonderful cash prizes are up for grabs.

Outdoor fans can look forward to the a new 4x4, camping and outdoor corner with big exhibitors like Landrover, LA Sports, 4x4 Megaworld, Safari 4x4, Afrispoor, Jackal Berry, World Wide Canvas, Expeditions For Africa, Kakuli Outdoor and many more.

The annual Thabazimbi Spar “Wildsbokafslag” competition will be taking place again at the beer garden under the guidance of Hannes Coetzee. This will take place on the 2nd of May and the ladies are welcome to join in and show the guys how it is supposed to be done. The Beer Garden will be equipped with ‘n huge plasma screen to give the Super 14 fans their weekly fix of rugby, while the cover band will be entertaining the guests in the tent throughout the day.

Last but not least, festival-goers can take part in the annual bosveldspele, Mampoer Proe and the exhilarating tug-of-war competitions which will all be taking place at the Thabazimbi Spar Stage. Visitors are encouraged to also make their way to the various quality-packed and interesting stalls, as well as the delicious array of food stalls available. So be sure to join in this exceptional jam-packed weekend of family fun and entertainment.

Ticket information:

The tickets, which can be bought at the show, are as follows:
30 April 2009 (Thursday): Adults: R50; Children (under 13 years old): R25; Pensioners: R30
1 May 2009 (Friday): Adults: R60; Children (under 13 years old): R30; Pensioners: R35
2 May 2009 (Saturday): Adults: R60; Children (under 13 years old): R30; Pensioners: R35