Royal Agricultural Show

18/06/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻…

📸 𝐴 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝, 𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠, 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒

At the 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 & 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 on Youth Day, the rooms and grounds of our new home at Tweedie Hall were filled with colour, skill, conversation, laughter and the quiet pride of people who have practised how to do things properly.

We like to think that James and Eliza Morton — the original builders of Tweedie Hall, whose portraits still look out over the rooms — would have approved.

The Midlands Woodworkers' Guild, the KwaZulu-Natal Association of Flower Arrangers, the Embroiderers Guild of South Africa - Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands Quilters Guild, the South African Cake Decorators' Guild - SACDG, the Women’s Institute, and the Natal Midlands branch of the Genealogical Society of South Africa brought together displays that were not only beautiful and engaging, but were deeply meaningful.

Each table, frame, cake, quilt, arrangement, stitch, family tree and carefully preserved record represented hours of practice, a lifetime of learning, and the generosity of people willing to share what they love.

And on Youth Day, that really mattered.

Because one of the greatest gifts older generations can offer young people is the example of a life lived with interest, discipline and passion. A reminder that skill is built slowly. That beauty takes effort. That hands-on knowledge still matters. And that knowing where we come from helps us understand how many people, places and quiet acts of dedication have contributed to getting us here.

There has always been a natural place for this at the Royal Agricultural Society. Agriculture has always been about more than what is grown or bred. It is also about practical skill, patience, standards, community, tradition, heritage, and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

To every guild, organisation, exhibitor and volunteer who helped fill our event with such warmth, craftsmanship and memory: thank you. You honoured the building, the occasion, and the spirit of the day.

James and Eliza may have been silent observers — but we suspect they were quietly impressed.

18/06/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 🐝🏆

The KZN Bee Farmers' 2026 Royal Show Honey Competition was the centrepiece of Tuesday’s Honey & Crafts Festival at Tweedie Hall, showcasing the skill, care and dedication of beekeepers and producers from across the region.

Behind every bottle of honey, every frame, every block of beeswax and every carefully crafted mead is an enormous amount of knowledge — of bees, seasons, flowers, weather, timing, patience and craft. This competition was a wonderful opportunity to honour that work and to recognise the people who continue to keep these important agricultural traditions alive.

A very warm congratulations to all the 2026 trophy winners and class winners, including:

🏆 Hawthorne Hill Farming — NJ Kearsley Cup, KZN Champion Bottle
🏆 𝗘𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿 — Papadopolos Trophy, Champion Mead
🏆 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 — Novice Floating Trophy
🏆 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹 — CS Hayter Memorial Cup, Most Points Classes 1–6
🏆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 — Merrick Cup, Highest Score Classes 1–10
🏆 𝗡𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 — Basil Tucker Memorial, KZN Beekeeper, Most Points 21–26
🏆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲 — Resden Floating Trophy, Most Points 7–10

Congratulations also to every exhibitor who placed, received commendations, or entered the competition. Your contribution helped make the honey section a rich and memorable feature of the festival.

Our sincere thanks to the KZN Bee Farmers Association, the organisers, judges, stewards and volunteers who made the competition possible, and to everyone who visited the displays and supported local beekeeping.

The Royal Agricultural Society is proud to provide a platform where agricultural skill, specialist knowledge and community tradition can be recognised and celebrated.

17/06/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 🌤️🎶

Despite the gloomy weather forecasts, the sun came out for yesterday’s Honey & Crafts Festival at Tweedie Hall — just in time to add something truly special to the day.

Visitors were treated to a wonderful performance by Jason Hartman and his father, Sam Hartman, in what was also a very meaningful reunion performance following Sam’s return to the Midlands.

There was something beautifully fitting about it all: family, music, community, and sunshine breaking through. A reminder that sometimes the best moments happen when people show up — even when the weather is uncertain, even when the day could go either way, and even when it takes a little faith to be there.

Our sincere thanks to Jason and Sam Hartman for sharing their music, warmth and talent with everyone at the festival. Their performance was greatly enjoyed and added so much heart to a memorable Youth Day gathering.

Jason Hartman

17/06/2026

𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 & 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 🪵✨

Yesterday’s Honey & Crafts Festival at Tweedie Hall gave visitors the chance to see the Midlands Woodworkers' Guild at work, with live demonstrations that showcased both skill and patience.

There is something very special about watching raw timber take shape in the hands of experienced craftspeople — the tools, the shavings, the careful eye, and the steady hand all coming together to create something practical, beautiful and lasting.

The Royal Agricultural Society was delighted to welcome the Midlands Woodworkers’ Guild as part of a festival that celebrated not only honey and local produce, but also the craft traditions, practical skills and community groups that form such an important part of our rural and agricultural heritage.

A sincere thank you to the Guild for sharing their knowledge and passion with visitors throughout the day.

17/06/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆! 🐝🎨🌾

Yesterday’s Honey & Crafts Festival at Tweedie Hall included a wonderful 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and this reel celebrates the winning artworks from each grade.

From bees, animals and farm life to bold colours, careful detail and imaginative interpretations of agriculture, every piece reflected the joy of children engaging with the world around them in their own creative way.

A very warm congratulations to all the grade winners, our photography competition winner, and to every child who took part.

🏆 And special congratulations to Cowan House Prep School for winning Best Overall School!

The Royal Agricultural Society is proud to create spaces where young people can learn, participate, create and be celebrated — especially through activities that connect them with agricultural life.

A heartfelt thank you to the parents, teachers, schools, organisers, judges and volunteers who helped make this competition possible.

🐝 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀!

17/06/2026

Congratulations to all the young artists from Cowan House Prep School for their strong showing in the children's art competition at yesterday's Honey & Crafts Festival at Tweedie Hall. 👏 It was a beautiful display of creative effort around agricultural themes!

15/06/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆! 🐝🍯

Join us at 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸, tomorrow for the 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 & 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 — a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy the Youth Day public holiday.

Hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society and the KZN Bee Farmers Association, the festival brings together honey, crafts, traditional skills, local makers, food, refreshments and entertainment under one roof.

Browse the honey stalls, discover mead and braggot, learn more about apitherapy, and enjoy displays and sales featuring quilting, embroidery, wool, woodwork, floriate, cake icing and the Women’s Institute. There will also be a children’s art competition and plenty for families to explore.

🎶 Jason Hartman 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Chris Dust 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟮 𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝟰𝗽𝗺.

🎟️ 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, with voluntary 𝗥𝟮𝟬 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 in support of Midlands Hospice, FreeMe Wildlife and uMngeni SPCA.

📅 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 — 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
⏰ 𝟵𝗮𝗺–𝟰𝗽𝗺
📍 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸

🐝 Come and see what all the buzz is about!

12/06/2026

❓𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪?

There may be several impressively complicated names for a 175th anniversary — including 𝗗𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗕𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗔𝗟, 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗔𝗟 and 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗔𝗟 — but the milestone itself is much simpler to celebrate.

In 2026, the Royal Agricultural Society marks 𝟭𝟳𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

From its beginnings in 1851 to the current chapter at Tweedie Hall, the Society’s story has been shaped by generations of farmers, exhibitors, breeders, partners, supporters and visitors.

Join us as we celebrate this remarkable anniversary at the 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟳–𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 175𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 7–11 𝑂𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑟 2026, 𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑒 𝐻𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐾𝑍𝑁 𝑀𝑖𝑑𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 — 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑤 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑦.

10/06/2026

𝗔 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 🌿🏆

The Royal Agricultural Society was proud to support the KZN Youth Show, held recently at Tweedie Hall as part of the 2026 R.A.S. Heritage Events programme.

Despite this year's necessary adjustments to the format, the day was a real celebration of commitment, confidence and skill from the young participants — from the show ring and displays to the prizegiving moments captured here.

Our sincere thanks go to the KZN Youth Show team for their hard work in organising and setting up such a successful event, to the many generous sponsors who made the day possible, and to the schools, parents, teachers and supporters who encouraged these young people every step of the way.

🏆 Most importantly, congratulations to all the children who took part. Your effort, sportsmanship and enthusiasm were a credit to your schools, your families and the wider agricultural community.

📸 This gallery includes a selection of general moments from the day, followed by many of the prizewinner photographs. Parents who would like high-res photographs of their children are welcome to send a private message to the Royal Agricultural Show page, and we will assist.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 KZN Youth Show such a positive and memorable day at Tweedie Hall!

28/01/2026

Thank you Lloyd Phillips and Africanfarming.com!

The Royal Agricultural Society of Natal (RAS) has announced detailed plans for the 2026 Royal Show at its new permanent home at Tweedie Hall in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. However, the dark cloud of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) hangs over the show’s cattle and sheep sections.