Charting a new course
RAS General Manager Wayne Muller, showing his support at the Reeba Red Brahman and Droughtmaster Sale in July at the Netherwood Bull Ring in Nottingham Road.
Wayne Muller has now completed his second month as the new General Manager of the Royal Agricultural Society in KwaZulu-Natal, and has announced dates for the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
“The 2026 Royal Agricultural Show is confirmed for May 29 to June 3,” he announced, “and it will be a full agricultural show, not just an exhibition.”
The 2026 Show — which marks the 175th anniversary of the RAS — will prioritise agriculture, the agricultural industry, and related commercial activities,
With a rich background in agriculture and a deep connection to the Royal Show, Muller has hit the ground running, using his first two months to reconnect with stakeholders, lay the groundwork for the 2026 Royal Show, and steer the 174-year-old institution toward a new future.
Since accepting the role in late May, Muller has been a whirlwind of activity. Even before his official first day, he had held over 40 coffee meetings with past and present RAS staff, committee members, agricultural organisations, sponsors, exhibitors, and other stakeholders throughout June.
Since officially taking up the position, he has attended AGMs, livestock sales, and tourism functions across KZN, travelled to the Bloem Show in Bloemfontein to engage with exhibitors, visited Pretoria to meet potential sponsors, and supported the KZN Bee Farmers annual honey competition, which took place this year at the Eston Show. He also plans to attend the National Youth Show in Upington.
Back at the RAS’s office he has had his team busy updating the Society’s member database, maintaining assets, and planning the 2026 Royal Show.
The past two years have brought significant changes for the RAS. The Royal Show shifted to an agriculture-specific format with an explorative agricultural exhibition replacing its traditional mix of entertainment and general public components. The Society also relocated from its 122-year home in Pietermaritzburg. These developments, along with the passing of RAS president Mike Moncur in 2024 and Terry Strachan’s retirement in 2025, resulted in no Royal Show being held in 2025.
Looking ahead, Muller is focused on securing the Society’s permanent new home and delivering a landmark anniversary 2026 Royal Show.
His vision for the future of the RAS is clear: to build on its 174-year legacy while ensuring it remains relevant to members and the agricultural community. He sketched an exciting vision for the organisation going forward.
“We will promote agriculture, the agricultural industry, and related commercial activities in the interests of the community,” he said, going on to explain that this will be done by organising, training, facilitating, conducting, managing and promoting conferences, exhibitions, seminars, functions and shows — either simultaneously or apart from each other.
“My staff and I are left with such a legacy — 174 years of history and amazing contributions made by the Society to KZN, South Africa and agriculture. We need to remain focused on what we can do to support the amazing farmers and agricultural businesses in our province and across South Africa.”
In the coming months, Muller and the RAS will maintain a visible presence in the agricultural sphere, supporting events like the Berg Show and Underberg Show.
As the RAS approaches its 175th anniversary in 2026, Muller is determined to honour its history while embracing a future of innovation and renewed relevance to agriculture.
“New venue, renewed focus, member value,” he said, encapsulating his vision for a revitalised RAS.
With plans for additional events in the works and a commitment to collaboration, Muller’s leadership signals an exciting chapter for the Society and its community.
