adminMidlands Correspondent
More than 29,000 people attended the 89th edition of the Midlands Show which ended in Gweru on Sunday.
The figure shows an 11 percent increase to last year’s attendence of 26,000 people.The provincial agricultural exhibition which is the third biggest exhibition after the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show ran from July 31 to August 3, under the theme: “Creating an enabling economic environment”.
Show manager, Victoria Chikukwa described the show as a success and said despite the prevailing economic challenges, the show attracted 16 new exhibitors.
“We held a very successful show which saw 29,762 coming to attend this year’s show which is a major improvement as last year we had about 26,000 people attending.
“Despite some of the companies failing to exhibit at this year’s show due to economic challenges, we are pleased to announce that we had 16 new exhibitors being part of our show, confirmation that the exhibition is growing in leaps and bounds,” she said.
This year’s show witnessed poor attendence during the first two days but the numbers swelled on Saturday which is the main show day. It is also the official opening day of the exhibition.
Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister, Francis Nhema officially opened this year’s show where he implored on newly resettled farmers to venture into livestock production to boost the national herd.
The main attraction on the main day was Zim dancehall artiste, Shinsoman who did not disappoint with a flawless display.
Sunday was also a hive of activity with mainly the youth coming to the show grounds a move which was mainly inspired by DJ Flevah fronted sound system and Judgement Yard which gave a two-hour scintillating performance.
derick.khumalo