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Air show to wow crowds
The anticipation is building for the Africa Aerospace and Defence Show 2024 which will bring acrobatics, military exhibitions and a line-up of aeroplanes to grace the skies of Pretoria.
The official opening ceremony to the show took place on Wednesday, September 18 with Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink joining Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Trade Exhibition.
“Tshwane is a proud host city. This event brings economic and business opportunities, especially for the hospitality, tourism and aviation industries,” said Brink.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, officiated at the opening. She also did a walkabout with military dignitaries showcasing the highlights of the show on September 17.
Motshekga said that she is impressed with the 12th edition of the exhibition and displays.
“It is the only and largest air space and defence exhibition and air show on the African continent and a flagship of what can be done in the industry on the continent,” said Motshekga.
“The show has continued to grow, bringing together the world’s major industry players. It is a platform to showcase the latest technological innovations in aviation in aerospace and defence but it also fosters dialogue,” the minister said.
Motshekga has just returned from the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, an initiative of the China Association of Military Science, a platform for Asia-Pacific security dialogue, in Beijing, China.
She stressed that she believes that shows like this create platforms where not only cutting-edge innovations can be exhibited but where an energy hub can be created to foster dialogue with respect and shared values.
She explained that the non-attendance by the American government of the expo cannot be blamed on her department as it bent backwards on several occasions to make it easier for the representatives to attend.
“The necessary paperwork was not in place and we did not receive the necessary paperwork, but the door is still open for them to speak to us,” said Motshekga.
A wide range of senior defence industry players from both local and international companies will be represented on Wednesday when Ramaphosa will visit the expo for a walk-about.
Come the weekend, aviation and military enthusiasts will be in for a treat with more than 30 displays a day at the Air Force Base at Waterkloof in Centurion.
More than 20 countries will take part in this year’s expo including Kenya, Botswana, Senegal, Morocco, Senegal, South Korea, China, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Singapore, Armenia, India, Pakistan, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, Italy, Albania, Russia, Belgium, Canada and Brazil.
The show will also include the AAD 2024 Conference taking place from September 18-20 at the base where top defence experts, industry leaders, and academics will gather to take a look at and discuss the evolving security landscape in Africa and globally.
The first day of the conference, titled Future Warfare, will have as a theme future warfare, defence innovation and challenges.
Exhibitors include Armscor, Airbus, Beretta from Italy, universities, aviation companies, aerospace technology companies and South African Airways.
More than 12 000 school learners will attend the youth programme of the expo this year for exposure to future career opportunities available to them in these industries.
The chairperson of the youth programme, Kholisile Khumalo acknowledged the positive role of the expo to South Africa’s youth development and contributon to the economy.
“In the midst of high unemployment rate in South Africa, the embassies represented here are also giving hope to our youth by creating training and mentorship opportunities in their home countries.”
The expo has an impact on the country’s and Pretoria’s economy with more than 1 350 jobs created during the duration of the exhibition, with international visitors estimated to be contributing over R135-million to the Gross Domestic Product. Public and trade visitors are expected to generate R150-million in revenue and R65-million in taxation revenue.
The Public Air Show will be over the weekend on September 21 and 22 with gates to open at 06:00.
Of the highlights on the programme will be A Magni Gyro Solo, a performance by the Goodyear Eagles, a PC7 solo, a Formula GT-display and a JAS39 Gripen solo.
