From world-class Pretoria showgrounds to a dilapidated mess

·15 Apr 2025

The City of Tshwane had grand plans to turn the old Pretoria showgrounds into a commercial mixed-use precinct. However, nothing has come of these plans.

The Pretoria Show Grounds, which changed its name to the Tshwane Events Centre, was a world-class facility which hosted numerous events.

In 2004, for example, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) decided to use its premises as its nerve centre before, during and after the April general elections.

However, it has been so neglected and vandalised over the last few years that the IEC had to find a new elections results centre for last year’s elections.

The Pretoria Show Grounds have their origins in the Pretoria Show, which started in 1939 as the Transvaalse Landbouskou, an agricultural event that served the farming community.

Over the years, the Pretoria Show expanded beyond agriculture to include a broad range of attractions and exhibitions.

It became the largest springtime show in South Africa with a variety of entertainment and activities for families.

In 2009, under the leadership of the Tshwane Business and Agricultural Corporation, the Pretoria Show changed its name to the Tshwane International Show.

Former chief executive Wim du Toit said they were committed to uplifting the western part of Tshwane and marketing the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s name.

Du Toit said the show contributes R50 million annually to the economy of Tshwane and serves as a showcase for the agricultural sector.

In 2011, Complete Exhibitions, the organiser for the Tshwane International Show, repositioned the event as “The Spring Show”.

The show was integrated into a festival of family entertainment with an atmosphere ensuring a focus on delivering a fun-filled day out.

In 2012, the show took a new direction by moving towards an agricultural offering with top quality animals of well-known breeds from large parts of the country competing.

Big plans for the Tshwane Events Centre

In October 2023, the City of Tshwane announced grand plans to turn the old Pretoria showgrounds into a commercial mixed-use precinct.

This precinct would include a hotel and conferencing centre, retail areas, offices, and residential opportunities.

In June 2022, the Council approved putting the showgrounds out for an open and competitive bidding process.

They wanted to attract a developer who would lease the grounds and realise the city’s vision for the property.

This lease will be a 50-year term to allow developers to make significant investments in the property that would benefit the city and its residents for years to come.

To make the property attractive to developers, the city promised to consolidate and rezone to get the best bids possible.

“Development will then take place as soon as the winning developer is announced,” counsellor Kingsley Wakelin said.

Kingsley Wakelin said they planned to turn the showgrounds into a leading events venue, unlocking the property’s development potential.

He added that the IEC showed interest in using the property as a base for the 2024 general elections and leasing a portion long-term for the 2026 local government elections.

However, none of these plans materialised. The Tshwane Events Centre is in a dismal state, with vandalism, stolen cables, broken windows, and neglected infrastructure.

Wakelin blamed the Tshwane Business and Agricultural Corporation, which he said allowed it to fall into ruin.

The Tshwane Business and Agricultural Corporation managed the property from 1995 to 2021, after which the City of Tshwane took it over.

Recent visits by news organisations, including EWN and Pretoria FM, showed the dilapidated state of the Tshwane Events Centre.