MPUMALANGA TO HOST THE 2025 NATIONAL GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PILGRIM’S REST
The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, in partnership with the South African Gold Panning Association (SAGPA), is proud to announce that the 2025 National Gold Panning Championships will take place from 08 – 11 October 2025 in Pilgrim’s Rest, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. This much-anticipated annual event brings together competitors from across South Africa to showcase their skills in the traditional sport of gold panning, while celebrating the country’s rich mining heritage. Pilgrim’s Rest, a historic mining town, provides the perfect backdrop for this unique cultural and sporting spectacle. The programme for the 2025 Championships promises a vibrant mix of activities, including: • 08 October 2025: Street Parade (16:00) and Opening Ceremony (17:00) • 09 – 11 October 2025: Gold Panning Competitions (09:00 – 16:00 daily), Indigenous Games, Netball & Soccer • 10 October 2025: Wheelbarrow Race (16:00) • 11 October 2025: Duck Race (13:00), Prize Giving (15:00), and Closing Ceremony (15:30) Speaking ahead of the event, the MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Leah Mabuza, highlighted the importance of the Championships, “The Championships are expected to attract visitors from across the country, boosting local tourism and creating opportunities for community participation and economic activity in the region.” The Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and SAGPA invite all South Africans to join in this celebration of heritage, sport, and community.