12 August 2026

NGWATHE, IT’S TIME TO EXPERIENCE TOURISM DIFFERENTLY!

The Edgar Legoale Foundation is proud to officially announce the Ngwathe Tourism Expo 2026, taking place on Friday, 4 September 2026, at Parys Airfield, off the R59, under the theme:

“Celebrating Heritage, Showcasing Opportunity, Growing Tourism.”

The Ngwathe Tourism Expo forms part of the broader Ngwathe Experience programme, an initiative established to create platforms that connect people, business, tourism, culture, heritage, entertainment and local economic development.

More than an Expo, the initiative represents a long-term vision to position Ngwathe as a destination of opportunity — a place where visitors can discover unique experiences, where local businesses can access markets, where entrepreneurs can build relationships, where communities can benefit from tourism and where the heritage and identity of the municipality can be celebrated.

The 4 September Expo will also serve as a platform to officially launch Tourism Month activities in Ngwathe, bringing renewed attention to the role that tourism can play in stimulating economic activity, creating employment, supporting SMMEs and strengthening the profile of the region.

A DAY DEDICATED TO TOURISM, BUSINESS AND OPPORTUNITY

The programme has been designed to take visitors and stakeholders through a full tourism experience, beginning with the official opening and launch of Tourism Month, followed by tourism exhibitions and destination showcases highlighting what Ngwathe and the surrounding region have to offer.

The programme will further provide space for business networking and stakeholder engagement, creating opportunities for businesses, tourism operators, entrepreneurs, government institutions and other partners to connect and explore areas of collaboration.

A key feature of the day will be the Tourism Panel Discussion, providing a platform for meaningful conversations around the future of tourism, local economic development, investment, destination marketing, entrepreneurship and the opportunities available within Ngwathe.

The programme will also celebrate the creative and cultural identity of the region through arts and cultural performances, food and lifestyle experiences, local SMMEs, a craft market and live entertainment.

The intention is to ensure that tourism is not presented simply as an industry, but as an ecosystem that connects heritage, business, culture, entrepreneurship, hospitality, sport, entertainment and community development.

BUILDING ON THE NGWATHE EXPERIENCE

The Tourism Expo builds on the Foundation’s growing Ngwathe Experience programme, which seeks to establish sustainable platforms that bring people together while creating opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives and communities.

The Ngwathe Easter Experience demonstrated the potential of this approach by bringing together sport, entertainment, business and community participation. Through its SMME Expo, sporting activities, entertainment and broader programming, the Experience created opportunities for local businesses and young people to participate in a larger community platform.

The Tourism Expo now takes this vision further by placing tourism and destination development at the centre of the Ngwathe Experience.

The objective is not simply to host successful events, but to build a continuous programme through which Ngwathe can tell its story, promote its attractions, support local enterprise, attract visitors and create meaningful economic opportunities.

TOURISM MONTH: A PLATFORM FOR LONG-TERM IMPACT

The launch of Tourism Month through the Ngwathe Tourism Expo is intended to begin a broader conversation about what tourism can mean for the people of Ngwathe.

Throughout September, the Ngwathe Experience will highlight tourism-related opportunities and encourage communities to explore their own surroundings, support local establishments and recognise the economic value of welcoming visitors into the municipality.

The Foundation’s vision is to encourage a culture in which tourism becomes everyone’s business — from the accommodation provider and restaurant owner, to the tour operator, artist, artisan, taxi operator, informal trader, photographer, event organiser, farmer, guide and young entrepreneur.

When visitors come to Ngwathe, the economic benefit should reach as many local hands as possible.

A COLLECTIVE PLATFORM

The Expo is being developed through collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders who share an interest in tourism, economic development, education, business and the growth of Ngwathe.

Stakeholders forming part of the Expo include:

* Parys Business Chamber

* Parys INFO

* Ngwathe Local Municipality

* Parys Vlieg Klub / Parys Flying Club

* Savannah Lodge

* Sedibeng Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd

* S.U. & A

* PCC

* Department of Education

* Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA)

* Parys 150

* PI & T

The Foundation recognises that sustainable tourism development cannot be achieved by one organisation working in isolation. It requires government, business, tourism establishments, community organisations, educational institutions, civil society, media and private-sector partners to work together around a common vision.

The Expo therefore provides a platform for different sectors to meet, exchange ideas, build partnerships and identify opportunities for collaboration.

MEC MAKUME TO ATTEND

The Edgar Legoale Foundation is honoured to confirm the attendance of Free State MEC responsible for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Ketso Makume, whose participation will further strengthen the dialogue around tourism, economic development and the opportunities available within the Free State.

The Foundation welcomes the presence of provincial leadership and other key stakeholders as part of this important platform and believes that meaningful engagement between government, business and communities is essential to unlocking the full potential of Ngwathe’s tourism economy.

AN INVITATION TO INVEST IN NGWATHE

The Foundation further calls on the private sector, tourism businesses, corporate South Africa and potential sponsors to recognise the value of investing in the Ngwathe Experience.

Investment in the programme is not simply investment in an event. It is an investment in people, local businesses, young entrepreneurs, tourism development, community participation and the economic future of Ngwathe.

Sponsors and strategic partners will have an opportunity to align their brands with a growing platform that brings together tourism, business, culture, sport, entertainment and community development, while creating meaningful visibility and engagement with local audiences.

The Foundation believes that responsible investment in community-based tourism platforms can contribute towards building sustainable local economies and opening doors for businesses that may otherwise struggle to access larger markets.

CALL FOR EXHIBITORS

Tourism establishments, accommodation providers, restaurants, SMMEs, destination operators, entrepreneurs, artisans, creatives and businesses offering tourism-related products and services are invited to register as exhibitors.

The Expo provides exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase their offerings, engage directly with visitors, network with industry stakeholders and build relationships that can contribute to future growth.

To apply for an exhibition stall:

Irene Malemela – 071 382 8057

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

Members of the media are more than welcome to attend and cover the Ngwathe Tourism Expo 2026.

The Foundation recognises the media as an important partner in telling the stories of local communities and showcasing destinations, businesses, entrepreneurs, heritage and opportunities that deserve greater visibility.

Journalists, photographers, videographers, broadcasters, digital media practitioners and community media are encouraged to join us as we launch Tourism Month and showcase what Ngwathe has to offer South Africa and beyond.

THE VISION

The Ngwathe Tourism Expo is ultimately about changing the way we see our own community.

Tourism exists because places have stories to tell, cultures to share, experiences to offer and people whose livelihoods can benefit from visitors discovering those stories.

For Ngwathe, tourism presents an opportunity to move beyond simply being a place people pass through. It presents an opportunity to become a destination people intentionally choose to visit, experience, support and return to.

The Edgar Legoale Foundation believes that when heritage is protected, businesses are supported, young people are given opportunities and communities participate meaningfully, tourism can become a powerful vehicle for sustainable development.

The Foundation therefore invites residents, businesses, tourism stakeholders, government, entrepreneurs, sponsors, media, visitors and the broader community to be part of this journey.

Come discover. Come connect. Come support local. Come experience Ngwathe.

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NGWATHE TOURISM EXPO 2026

Theme: Celebrating Heritage, Showcasing Opportunity, Growing Tourism

Date: Friday, 4 September 2026

Venue: Parys Airfield

Location: Off the R59

General Enquiries:

Penny Tshabalala – 065 894 3842

Exhibitor Applications:

Irene Malemela – 071 382 8057

Ngwathe Tourism Expo 2026 — where heritage meets opportunity, and opportunity grows tourism.

Creating a Brighter Future

Issued by:

Nthabiseng Molejane

Project Manager – Ngwathe Experience

Edgar Legoale Foundation

Contact: 082 287 2290

Email: nthabiseng@edgarlegoale.com

Website: www.edgarlegoale.com