Press Release, Why We Remember – The Maluti Military Fair Brings Heritage to Life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 17 June 2025

Contact: events@g5j.co.za

Why We Remember – The Maluti Military Fair Brings Heritage to Life

Ficksburg, Eastern Free State – South Africa’s military history is vast, complex, and deeply human. To honour those who served and to keep these stories alive for future generations, G5 Events is launching a powerful new platform to reflect, reconnect, and rediscover.

On Friday and Saturday, 21/22 November 2025, the inaugural Maluti Military Fair will take place at the iconic

Sandstone Heritage Museum, offering an immersive and educational experience for the public, collectors, veterans, and history enthusiasts alike. This is not just an event – it’s a living tribute to bravery, brotherhood, and the machinery that shaped our past.

The event is being organised independently by G5 Events through a formal venue rental agreement with Sandstone, allowing for a professional and focused production that respects both the site and the stories it seeks to share.

What You Can Expect

Attendees will enjoy:

• Heritage Train Rides through the scenic Maluti landscape

• Military Vehicle Rides, including tracked and wheeled vehicles from multiple eras

• Talks and Heritage Conversations led by veterans, historians, and authors

• Demonstrations

• Veteran Associations

The Fair will explore five major eras in South African military history:

1. Voortrekker and Basotho Wars

2. Boer Wars

3. World Wars I & II

4. The Cold War and Border Conflicts

5. Peacekeeping Missions and Modern Defence Industry

Exhibitors, traders, associations, and re-enactor groups are invited to express their interest by contacting events@g5j.co.za.

G5 Events

G5 Events is led by Jandré du Plessis, a prominent figure in the preservation of South African military heritage. Formerly the General Manager of the Pro Patria Museum, and currently the Chief Heritage Officer of the 61 Mechanised Battalion Group Veterans Association, Du Plessis has dedicated his career to honouring and archiving South Africa’s military past. His work with G5 Books, the JH du Plessis Militaria Collection, and national veterans associations positions G5 Events as a trusted and experienced custodian of heritage initiatives.