The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum Annual Airshow will be held on May 4 at the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW) alongside Old Johannesburg Road in Valhalla, Pretoria.

With the theme “Flight Through Time – Legends of The Skies”, attendees will be able to experience aviation’s past, present and future; afforded the opportunity to witness aviation’s evolution; and interact with the aircraft, as well as pilots, aircrew and SAAF members.

During a media briefing at the site on April 30, SAAF deputy chief Major General Mayenzeke Matanda pointed out that the show is held every year to showcase the entity’s capabilities, and to generate funds to repair and restore its aircraft.

“In this manner, we also strive to preserve static aeroplanes that we need for future generations,” he highlighted.

Moreover, he said the show enables the SAAF to maintain relationships with stakeholders.

Also, it provides the opportunity for entrepreneurs, through rented stalls, to bridge the gap in challenging economic times, he averred.

The show is also in preparation for the Africa Aerospace and Defence event that will be held in September, as well as for SAAF to fine tune its systems.

Gates will open from 07:00, and the day’s programme will run from 09:00 to 18:00.

Matanda informed that attendees can enjoy historical museum aircrafts, aircrafts that are currently serving in the SAAF, as well as a variety of civilian aircraft.

Moreover, there will be a “mini-war” event at 12:00, entailing a demonstration of air and land capabilities, a joint operation. Attendees are advised to bring ear protection owing to the high noise levels this generates, as well as the aircrafts in general.

Food stalls will be available at the show.

Members of the public wishing to attend the show can buy tickets online at Ticketpro. Upwards of 40 000 attendees are anticipated, with the AF MDW able to accommodate 50 000 people.

The SAAF’s collaboration with Gautrain was also underscored.

The briefing was preceded by a race between the SAAF’s Alouette II Helicopter and the Gautrain, from the Midrand to the Centurion station, with the helicopter emerging victorious.

Gautrain CEO Tshepo Kgobe emphasised the importance of the partnership between the two entities, noting that it presents opportunities to further tourism in the province, with the SAAF Museum highlighted as a key site.

He encouraged attendees to make use of the Gautrain’s services and other public transport to travel to the show, as well as for general transportation purposes. Commuters can use the Gautrain to get to the Centurion station, and from here, they can enjoy free bus shuttles to the show.

Meanwhile, the show will be preceded by the Youth Aviation Awareness Programme, a career exhibition for school learners that will be held on May 3, to expose them to the different career paths that are possible in the South African National Defence Force, especially in the SAAF, through career stalls.

Twenty schools from Gauteng and neighbouring provinces have been invited, through the Department of Education, with 1 500 learners expected to partake in this exhibition.