Royal Agricultural Show

18/09/2026

🤠🐎 For those who don't know about 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 yet, THIS is what you can expect to see on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Royal Show in the Equestrian Arena! 🤩

And remember, anyone keen to be a day rider can contact Barrel Racing South Africa's Melissa Swan at 072 443 5011 🤠🐎

18/09/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘇𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲 — 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 💙💛

For generations, Pietermaritzburg was home to the Royal Show. This October, the road leads us just a little further up the hill — to the 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲, 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸.

And it’s a journey many Midlands travellers already know well.

Take the 𝗡𝟯 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹, past Hilton, Cedara and Midmar — or enjoy 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝟭𝟬𝟯 through Hilton and Merrivale, passing familiar landmarks along the way.

Whichever road you choose, there’s something new waiting at the other end:

🌿 A new setting
🐄 Agriculture at its heart
🚜 Five days of livestock, demonstrations, exhibits, food, crafts and family experiences
👑 And 175 years of Royal Agricultural Society history travelling with us into the future.

It may be a new home, but from Pietermaritzburg, it really isn’t far.

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

📅 𝟳–𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲, 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸

18/09/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗜𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗧𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚! 🐑

Some breeders become part of the fabric of a Show — and the people behind tomorrow’s 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 are very much part of ours.

𝗧𝗼 𝗝𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗘𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 Hatari Farming; 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘆𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘆𝗻 𝗼𝗳 Gras Karoo Dormers; 𝗧𝗷𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗼𝗳 2Broers Dormers 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Twee Seuns Suffolks; 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 Buffelsfontein Dormers — baie sterkte to you, your families and your teams for tomorrow.

Year after year, these breeders make the long journey to KwaZulu-Natal with some of their finest sheep. That commitment takes time, money and enormous effort, and their loyalty has contributed greatly to the quality, competitiveness and spirit of the Royal sheep section.

And we know their genetics very well.

We have watched them win in the 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, take 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀, perform in the 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, and prove that the same breeding that produces outstanding show animals can deliver where it matters commercially too.

In 2024 alone, Hatari produced the Supreme Champion Ram on Show, while Twee Seuns Suffolks produced the Supreme Champion Ewe; 2 Broers, Gras Karoo and Hatari then produced an exceptional series of results in the carcass competition.

And even in 2025, when there was no Royal Show, Hatari made the considerable effort to support the standalone fat stock event — and made history in the carcass competition while doing so.

Tomorrow’s sale brings together Dormer and Suffolk genetics backed by years of deliberate breeding, performance and results.

There is quite a story behind the sheep going under the hammer — and behind the people who keep making the journey to support the Royal.

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://www.royalshow.co.za/news/hatari-platinum-veiling-2026

𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗜 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗠 𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
📅 Saturday, 19 September 2026
🕚 11:00
📍 Plaas Content, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein
💻 Online bidding via SwiftVEE at https://auctions.swiftvee.com/auctions/hatari-platinum-veiling-1AWN

𝗝𝗮𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮, 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘆𝗻, 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺, 𝗧𝗷𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 — 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀.

We hope the buyers recognise tomorrow what we have had the privilege of seeing in the Royal ring — and on the Royal hook — for years.

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲.

Dormer SA RPO KZN RPO Northern Cape / RPO Noord-Kaap

17/09/2026

🔥 𝗪𝗛𝗢'𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗔𝗜 𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦? 🔥

The 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗶𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 is coming to the Royal Show — and entries are open to 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗶 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 who know their way around a fire!

And here’s an opportunity for local businesses: 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱.

So, if there’s someone in your office, workshop, dealership, farm, business or team who is legendary around the braai, this could be their chance to put those skills — and your company name — in front of a Royal Show crowd.

⚠️ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
This is an amateur competition. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆.

Each BraaiBoss prelim features 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 taking on a series of open-fire cooking challenges throughout the day. There’s no pre-preparation — competitors will need fire skills, adaptability, personality and a genuine passion for the braai.

Expect challenges ranging from bread and breakfast to braai snacks, meat, chicken, steak and a final creative test using what’s left.

📅 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 — 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝟯
📅 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 — 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝟰
📍 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗻, 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲

Think you’ve got what it takes? Enter at:
https://www.khakibush.com/braaibosschallenge

𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝟳–𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿
𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 — 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

KhakiBush Magazine Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business

16/09/2026

𝟮𝟭 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦. 𝟮𝟭 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗔𝗟. 🎉

Three weeks from today, the gates open on the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 at our new home at Tweedie.

And if you’re wondering what there is to see and do, here are 𝟮𝟭 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆:

1. Barrel Racing with Barrel Racing South Africa
2. Our 4×4 Passenger Experience & Track with Key Pietermaritzburg Isuzu, Halfway Toyota Howick, Metro Car Sales and GWM
3. The Pure Venom Reptile Experience with Pure Venom Reptile Park
4. The KhakiBush Bull Pen with KhakiBush Magazine
5. The KhakiBush BraaiBoss Challenge
6. The Royal Steers Competition
7. Modern & Vintage Tractor Parades
8. The Royal Rabbit Show with The Natal Rabbit Club
9. Chainsaw Racing — Husqvarna vs STIHL
10. The Dormer National Show with Dormer SA
11. The Industrial & Chainsaw Outdoor Demo Area
12. The Farmers Weekly Royal Pavilion with Farmer's Weekly SA
13. Stud Cattle Exhibits — Bonsmara, Simmentaler & Brahman
14. Arts & Crafts Exhibits and Demonstrations
15. Commercial Poultry Layer-to-Broiler Experience
16. The Royal Fat Lamb Competition
17. Honey & Beekeeping Display with KZN Bee Farmers
18. Ile de France, Suffolk, Dorper & Hampshire Down Regional Shows
19. The Royal Carcass Competition & Auction
20. The Interbreed Sheep Competition & the prestigious Standard Bank Gold Cup Awards
21. An Indigenous Veld Goat Exhibit with IVG South Africa

And perhaps the 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹?

This is a Royal Show unlike any we have held before.

𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲. 𝗔 𝟭𝟳𝟱-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆.
Five days bringing together agriculture, competition, animals, machinery, food, craftsmanship, outdoor adventure, education and entertainment.

There is a lot to discover — whether agriculture is your world, or you simply want a great day out in the KZN Midlands.

𝟮𝟭 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼.

📅 𝟳–𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲 • 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸

🎟️ Book your tickets online through Quicket and start planning your Royal Show.

15/09/2026

The Royal Agricultural Society is pleased to welcome Big Dutchman Southern Africa back as an exhibitor at the 2026 Royal Show.

Big Dutchman sets the global benchmark for housing, feeding, and climate-control technology for poultry and pig farming, and will be appropriately located near the Commercial Poultry exhibit at this year's Show.

Welcome to the Show, Big Dutchman! We're happy to have you with us again!

WE’RE HEADING TO THE ROYAL SHOW! 🧡

Big Dutchman South Africa is getting ready for the Royal Show 2026 in Howick!

📅 7–11 October 2026
📍 Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Howick
📌 Stand 30 & 42

Come meet the Big Dutchman team, chat to us about your farming needs and discover our solutions for modern livestock production.

We’ll see you there! 👋🧡

15/09/2026

📣 𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗘𝗫𝗛𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 — 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪-𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬!

With the 2026 Royal Show getting closer, we’ve put together a range of 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 & 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 to help you prepare, promote your participation and make the most of your presence at the Show.

Visit the 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 & 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 on our website to:

🔹 Download 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
🔹 Access official 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀
🔹 Download 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to help you promote your participation
🔹 Open our 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 and create your own “We’ll be at the Royal Show” posts
🔹 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 so we can promote you better

🏆 And don’t forget the 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀!

Exhibitors are judged across a range of criteria, with medallions, trophies and special awards recognising outstanding displays across the Show.

This year will also see the introduction of two new awards:

🏆 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿
🏆 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿

Further details and judging criteria will be shared shortly.

We’d also love to see exhibitors getting creative with this year’s theme:

𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 — 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗧. 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧. 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘.

Think about how you could interpret the theme through your stand, display, products, storytelling or visitor experience.

📲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄.
Use the resources, personalise the Canva templates, tell your customers where to find you — and remember to tag the Royal Show so that we can see and share your posts.

📅 𝟳–𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲, 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸

14/09/2026

We're looking forward to having Pure Venom Reptile Park with us for the last three days of this year's Royal Show!

Explore their dedicated exhibition, featuring pythons, cobras, mambas, rattlesnakes, a Gaboon adder, crocodiles and even tarantulas!

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗥𝟮𝟬, 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

📸 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁.

Catch Pure Venom’s scheduled displays in the 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮:
🐍 Friday 9 October • 14:00
🐍 Saturday 10 October • 13:00
🐍 Sunday 11 October • 11:00

Exciting upcoming event at the in Howick.
Come and

7-11 October 2026

13/09/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗠 | 𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗦
𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟲 – 𝟭𝟬 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Royal Agricultural Society is saddened to learn of the passing of Lionel Phillips, a longstanding and highly respected member of South Africa’s fancy-pigeon community and a familiar figure within the pigeon fraternity associated with the Royal Show.

Lionel’s involvement with fancy pigeons spanned many years. A dedicated breeder and exhibitor, he kept and showed a remarkable variety of breeds and was also an active contributor to the wider pigeon community through club administration, show organisation, publicity, and the sharing of his knowledge and experience.

His association with the Royal Show extended over many years through the Pigeon Section and the broader Royal community. Lionel played an active role in Royal Show pigeon activities over many years, not only as a successful exhibitor, but also through his contributions of photographs and reports, and his service as Secretary of the KZN region of the South African Fancy Pigeon Association.

Lionel belonged to a community of dedicated breeders, exhibitors and volunteers whose commitment helped make the bird, poultry, pigeon and rabbit sections such an enduring part of the agricultural character of the Royal Show.

These sections were never simply about competition; they brought generations of breeders together, introduced the public to specialist breeds and husbandry, and helped preserve knowledge and traditions that might otherwise have been lost.

The RAS extends its sincere condolences to Carol, Lionel’s family, friends, fellow breeders and all those within the fancy-pigeon community who knew him.

A celebration of Lionel’s life will be held on:
🗓 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬
📍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗳, 𝟱𝟮 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱, 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴

Those attending are invited to bring or send photographs, memories and favourite stories to share with the family.

𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹: 𝟬𝟴𝟮 𝟵𝟮𝟰 𝟲𝟰𝟰𝟭 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Lionel is remembered as a thorough gentleman, and with gratitude for the friendships he formed, the knowledge he shared and the contribution he made to a community to which he devoted so much of his life.

10/09/2026

🐍 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗽𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀!

The Royal Show runs from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October, with Pure Venom Reptile Park 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟵, 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿.

Explore their dedicated exhibition, featuring pythons, cobras, mambas, rattlesnakes, a Gaboon adder, crocodiles and even tarantulas!

There will be plenty to discover, for reptile enthusiasts and for those who are simply curious (or nervous!) and would like the opportunity to experience these beautiful creatures up close.

📸 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁.

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗥𝟮𝟬, 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Catch Pure Venom’s scheduled displays in the 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮:
🐍 Friday 9 October • 14:00
🐍 Saturday 10 October • 13:00
🐍 Sunday 11 October • 11:00

📍 Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Howick
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒.

🎟️ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺? 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆! Book your Royal Show tickets online with Quicket.

Explore the 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 for more to see and do: https://www.royalshow.co.za/2026-programme