+ 35 000 less visit ‘Tshwane' Show after AfriForum's call for boycott re name change

AfriForum asks show management to reconsider name change

The attendance figures of the ‘Tshwane' Show have decreased with 34 425 this year after AfriForum had launched a boycott action against this show.  The boycott came about as a result of a decision to change the name of the show from the Pretoria to the Tshwane Show.  As a part of the boycott action, AfriForum had pamphlets delivered to 220 000 households in Pretoria and vicinity to inform the public that the show has turned its back on the name of Pretoria.

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, responded to the show's low attendance figures by calling on the management of the ‘Tshwane' Show to take note of the displeasure with the name change that the residents of Pretoria had demonstrated by staying away from the show, and to reconsider the name of the show.

According to Kriel, AfriForum has already sent a letter to the management of the show, asking for a constructive solution to be found for the name dispute.  "During the past year, AfriForum has done everything possible to convince the show's management that changing the name would be a folly, and to prevent a boycott, but we will now try to find a solution once again by means of discussion in order that the boycott will not have to be repeated next year," Kriel said.

If the show will recall the name change, AfriForum will, according to Kriel, take the positive action of once more distributing 220 000 pamphlets to households all over Pretoria at its own costs, this time encouraging people to visit the show.  Kriel however warned that if the management of the show were to make the foolhardy decision not to drop the Tshwane Show name, AfriForum's pamphlets will again advise people to boycott the show in 2011.

According to Kriel, companies and institutions that disregard to interests of their loyal supporters in favour of political subservience to the authorities, should learn from the show boycott that the buying power of their supporters can turn against them.  "Pretorians who had supported the Pretoria Show loyally for many years, voted with their feet by staying away from the Tshwane Show and made their money talk on behalf of the retention of the name of Pretoria," Kriel added.

Kriel also appealed to exhibiters to demand from the show's management not to continue undermining the interests of the exhibiters by ill-considered name changes any more.

Statement issued by Kallie Kriel, CEO: AfriForum, September 15 2010

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