The Rand Show is 130 years old this year. That’s older than Johannesburg, older than most buildings in the CBD, and quite frankly, older than it has any right to be. I went to this year’s edition—held over the Easter weekend at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec—with one burning question: Is the Rand Show still good? Or are we just letting it limp along out of some sense of obligation?
Getting in wasn’t exactly a flying start. Despite having received my media accreditation in time, there was a bit of a “who are you and what are you doing here?” situation at the gates. The media liaison was less than friendly, which added a special flavour to my arrival, making me ask myself, why did I come? But once the credentials were finally sorted and I was inside, things smoothed out.
So, what was the vibe?
Well, let’s just say it’s not the kind of show that’ll blow your hair all the way back. I wouldn’t call it the most spectacular exhibition Nasrec has ever seen—but a few things genuinely managed to stand out, or at least elbow their way into “okay, that was kind of cool” territory.
Nitro Crew Rand Show 2K25: Where eardrums go to die (in a good way?)
I stumbled upon the Nitro Crew area and—credit where it’s due—it did try its absolute best to create a kind of Fast & Furious-meets-Lenasia-car-meet vibe. If you like things that go “VROOOM” in all caps, and enjoy testing how much sound your body can physically absorb before you begin vibrating on a cellular level, this was your Mecca.
According to the press material, this was meant to be a “high-energy showdown” of top-tier car audio competitors. I heard phrases like “record-breaking decibels” and “wall of sound.” And… well, yeah, it was loud. But it was the kind of loud where your heart skips a beat—not out of emotion, but because your internal organs are rattling slightly out of place.
There was also a “Show and Shine / Park Off” element—custom rides polished within an inch of their lives, being judged for style, performance, and “personality.”
This bit of the show was clearly for a very specific crowd—auto-heads, sound system enthusiasts, and probably at least three guys named “DJ Kev.” But hey, it was fascinating to say the least. Shiny things! Loud noises! People being really passionate about boot acoustics… this was every bit the car show you’d expect.
SANDF: Sombre, spectacular, and surprisingly musical
Another unexpected standout was the South African National Defence Force exhibit, which honestly made me feel a little patriotic. This was no casual display of camouflage and tanks. It was a fully programmed military showcase, complete with interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits, military vehicles, and soldiers who were both professional and approachable. I liked this part.
There were solemn moments too, like the wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremony—a surprisingly moving tribute that somehow made the noisy fairgrounds go respectfully quiet.
Bonus points for the military band’s “flash mob” performances. I didn’t expect to turn a corner and be serenaded like that, but it added some theatrical flair to the otherwise chaotic scene. Somewhere between Broadway and Border Patrol, if that makes sense. They were on point and really marked the event with the festive feel.
Also, they launched a podcast—“Defence in Focus”—because even the army needs content. We live in strange times.
Ocean Wanders: A chill zone for overstimulated (small) humans
Now, this one took me by surprise. Hall 8 housed the “Ocean Wanders” experience, which sounded cheesy but ended up being a whole lot of charming. It was pitched as an immersive underwater adventure for the whole family—and despite myself, I didn’t hate it.
The glowing tunnel with jellyfish and seahorses was very visually soothing. There were tactile marine life exhibits, some beachy sand pits for kids to go full chaos-goblin, and even a sand artist sculpting sea creatures while looking deeply zen. It was a pleasant sensory cooldown, tucked away from the crowds, the engine noise, and the decibel duels.
Also, there were pirates. Like, literal ones. With mermaids. Who led treasure hunts. While a DJ played bouncy tracks. It was just the right level of surreal. And for tired parents? Lounge areas with actual sand to dig your feet into. A rare bit of “we thought of you too” at an otherwise hectic event.
The stalls – less agri, more hustle and bustle
The Rand Show’s roots lie in agriculture. Established in 1894 by the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society, it began as a platform to showcase livestock, poultry, farm products, and equipment, with prizes awarded in the form of gold and silver medals . However, fast-forward to 2025, and while a few agricultural stalls remain, they are vastly outnumbered by vendors offering designer furniture, local art, and renewable energy solutions.
The event now resembles a bustling bazaar, with stalls selling everyday items like phone covers, charging cables, makeup, and various odds and ends. On a brighter note, the food stalls were impressive. ‘Meatopia’ and the unmistakable aroma of a South African braai permeated the food arenas, lending the event a genuine holiday or long-weekend atmosphere
So… 130 years in… Is it still worth visiting the Rand Show?
That depends entirely on what you’re hoping to get out of it. If you’re after cutting-edge tech showcases, exclusive gadgets, or anything resembling a world-class expo—probably not. This isn’t CES or Comic-Con. It’s more… heritage fair meets lifestyle mall, with moments of brilliance poking through.
But if you’re someone who enjoys people-watching, surprise saxophone solos, and discovering that South Africa’s military has a pretty solid podcasting game—there’s fun to be had.
It’s a little odd, a little loud, and more than a little stuck in the past. But it’s also full of heart, community, and weird surprises that make you stop and say, “I’m glad I came out today.”
I wouldn’t call it the best show you’ll attend this year. But it’s not the worst way to spend a long weekend either.
I mean, where else can you experience a car sound system, see a military tank, and wave to a mermaid in the same afternoon?
