When History Becomes Experience

In May 2022, I hosted the first Pro Patria Military Fair at the Voortrekker Monument. We prepared for 3 500 visitors. Over 5 000 arrived. The response was overwhelming. It confirmed what many of us have always known.

South Africans want to connect with their history. Not behind glass. Not in silence. But in motion. In context. In community.

This year, I am proud to announce the launch of G5 Events, and with it, a bold new project.

📍 Maluti Military Fair
📅 Friday & Saturday, 21 - 22 November 2025
📌 Sandstone Heritage Museum, Eastern Free State

Sandstone is one of the world’s finest living museums. Internationally recognised for its working narrow-gauge railway and vast collection of heritage vehicles, it remains one of South Africa’s most powerful and underappreciated cultural assets.

I have reached an agreement to rent the full site and its assets for two days in November. For one weekend, history will be fully alive.

This is not a static exhibition. It is a living tribute.

The Maluti Military Fair is built around experience and education. Visitors will not only see heritage. They will ride it, touch it, fly in it, and listen to the people who lived it.

Highlights include:

Steam train rides across the Maluti landscape
Ox wagon trails through the veld
Flights in vintage Tiger Moth biplanes
Military vehicle rides
Live re-enactments, lectures, and battlefield talks

55 military vehicles, 720 veteran tractors, and more than 10 eras of agricultural and military heritage on display

The earliest agri machinery and the latest farming technologies side by side
Field kitchens, book traders, and collectables from across the country

We will cover five key eras of South African military history, from the Voortrekker wars and Anglo-Boer conflict, to World War I and II, the Border War, and our modern defence manufacturing capabilities.

This is a powerful learning experience. It is an opportunity for schools, veterans, tourists, and families to see where we come from. But it is also something more.

It is a family weekend.

Sandstone offers space to explore, eat, learn, and enjoy. For those looking to extend their stay, the neighbouring Iona Cherry Farm will be in full bloom and celebration. Combine the fair with a visit to their annual cherry crop festivities and experience the Eastern Free State at its finest.

This is also a rare opportunity for sponsors and partners. The fair provides a platform for meaningful engagement with military, defence and agricultural heritage. It connects brands to history, identity, and education. It supports tourism, job creation, and regional pride.

We expect between 2 000 and 4 000 visitors. Tickets are available online and can be reserved through our official website.

🔗 www.malutimilitaryfair.com
📧 events@g5j.co.za

Let us honour the past, connect in the present, and build something future generations can be proud of.