Pretoria - The City of Tshwane residents have been urged not to miss the world-class Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition, set to open to the public this weekend.
Typically, thousands of people travel from across the country and the world to Air Force Base Waterkloof for the aerospace and defence exhibition and a mini-war demonstration, held bi-annually.
Pretoria mayor Randall Williams encouraged people to attend the first instalment of the exhibition since Covid-19 derailed plans in 2020, saying: “The Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo and Air Show is officially open, and residents are encouraged to attend over the weekend.
“I attended the official opening with Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise.
“The City of Tshwane is a proud host city of this event, making our municipality a strategic partner contributing to the expo’s success.
“The expo is a family friendly event, with an exciting air show that will be open to the public this weekend, on September 24 and 25.
We encourage all residents, young and old, to attend the event. Tickets are for sale at Computicket.”
Williams said the City was fully behind the AAD Expo. Events such as this have a positive economic impact and offered job and business opportunities to residents, he said.
The exhibition is Africa’s only aerospace and defence expo that combines a trade exhibition and an air show.
International exhibitors from around the globe have already arrived.
“This is expected to translate into good business for our local hospitality sector,” Williams said.
More than 70% of exhibition space has been booked, and nine countries have invested in national pavilions this year.
These include Türkiye with two large pavilions, making it twice as large as the previous show, as well as the UK, US, China, India, and several European nations. As in previous years, a key feature is the Youth Development Programme, intended to showcase defence and aerospace technologies to 10 000 pupils from across South Africa.
Pupils from Durban and Cape Town will be flown on SAA to the career exhibition, and will be escorted by SA Air Force members to the Gautrain for the short journey to Air Force Base Waterkloof.
Pretoria News