Its official!  The organisers of Zululand Expo have completed their entertainment programme for the upcoming Zululand Expo, which is scheduled to run from 27 – 29 September 2007 in Richards Bay.  The Zululand Expo in Richards Bay has become a red-letter day on the calendars of folk in this region.  Having grown from a typical country fair in the past Zululand Trade Fair era, it can now be quite fairly classified as one of South Africa’s best promotional efforts in its class in this region.   It offers the major showcasing opportunity for businesses both big or small in this, the economic hub of Zululand.

This is evident by the fact that it has quite justifiably long been supported by the major role players in the area, having been launched by the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation, many top sponsors are now part of the Zululand Expo : First National Bank, Bayside Aluminium,  Hillside Aluminium,  Nedbank,  Umfolozi College, City of Umhlathuze,  Uthungulu District Municipality, Development Bank of SA and the cherry on the top, national broacaster, SABC,   are some of the major sponsors that are contributing  to this premier event this year. 

Zululand Expo is recorded on the entertainment calendar for KZN par excellence and has become a fixture on the gig events lists of the signers and idols of particularly the younger generation of South Africa.   It has been able to present its entertainment offerings in a way to blend with the mix of folk in and around the Zululand area, including artists from all cultures, genders and techniques.

And like only the Zululand expo organizers can,  they have managed to once again attract some of South Africa’s top band and artists to perform live at the Expo.   Details of the event will be published in the next couple of weeks. 

We were told that one of the bands that will be performing has had the opportunity of performing in front of our past President, Nelson Mandela on several occasions.    This well known band has become South Africa's most successful domestic pop music export in recent years.  They have wowed audiences at clubs and festivals both across the country and abroad.  

In 2004 they completed the largest ever Southern African tour by an SA artist, comprising of over 125 shows in SA, Swaziland and Botswana etc, and all this was done in just six weeks!   Shortly thereafter they spread their wings and ended an incredible year with a huge New Years Eve bash on the beach at one of the top hotels in Dubai. Tempted by the international shore, they spent almost six weeks during August and September 2005 travelling across England, Ireland and Dubai.   They have received over a million rand in sponsorships and endorsements and have written and produced various tracks for television, including the theme music for Take 5 and Kids News Room. They have been invited to perform for various prestigious functions and charity events, the most recent being Zinzie Mandela’s Birthday Party where they performed, yet again, in front of Nelson Mandela.

Despite their busy schedule the group has still managed to find the time to give back to their community. They have strong ties with three incredible organizations, Reach For A Dream, The Variety Club and CHOC, but have also worked with many other worthy charitable organizations.

If you want to know who the band is……don’t miss their 1 night only performance on Saturday, 29 September.   (more details on this band and all other artists, will follow in the media over the next few weeks).

The Zululand Expo draws people from all walks of life and offers good wholesome family entertainment.   The expo falls directly in the school holiday period and the public could not ask for better value for money when tickets are only sold at R40 for adults and R20  for children under thirteen years and in exchange visitors who have paid the above ticket fee, have the opportunity to view all the music concerts, shows, exhibitors and other interactive activities that will be at this year’s show at no additional cost!       What better value for money can one ask for!

“Despite the volunteer committee have to endure disappointments in that we did not receive as much sponsorship as we were hoping to from the local businesses to contribute towards the programme,  we have done everything in our power to put on a value for money event and we are proud and excited about being able to once again put together an event for the public to enjoy.    We have done what we can…it is now up to the public of Zululand to show their appreciation and support us by visiting the biggest family entertainment event in Zululand”, says Expo Manager, Virna McMaster.