POLOKWANE – While several residents Review spoke to admitted they simply didn’t have the money to visit the show, those who did attend did not hold back in voicing their disappointment.
One regular visitor to the show, Kobus de Beer felt there was indeed a deterioration in the quality of the show over the last four years.
“This year to me was the lowest point it has been at. Entrance fees keep rising and the stalls offer the same goods year after year.”
Several people Review contacted shared these sentiments. One of the exhibitors that had been making the Polokwane Show her home for almost 20 years selling toys, porcelain dolls and clothing also expressed her disappointment.
“In almost 20 years I have to say I’d made money on three stalls. This year was a complete financial loss to me. This year’s show had the worst attendance I’d seen here, it is truly sad,” Janie Austin said.
Another exhibitor, Ali Rashik from Durban said he was in serious trouble following this year’s show.
“I was not able to make enough money to even get back to Durban without using my own money. People here like me budget for one show a month and depend on that show to make money that month. I think entrance fees were steep – visitors don’t have extra money to spend on the stalls.”
Even car guards felt the pinch this year.
“We have to pay a lot of money to get here and pay fees upfront. With a drop in visitors, we were definitely better off in previous years,” one guard, Amanda Viviers told Review.
One artist at the show, who opted to remain anonymous, said there were several issues experienced including poor handling of sound.
“This is not very good for upcoming artists or well-known artists.”
Show organiser Lelane van der Merwe confirmed the turnout of visitors to this year’s event was disappointing an not at all what they expected.
She said she had received mixed feedback, but did not want to elaborate further.
