Event supplies hire

Event supplies hire in South Africa: prices and permits

Updated 4 November 2026

Sound hire for a small function in South Africa costs from about R 3,000 to R 15,000, and sound and lighting for a mid-size conference runs from about R 20,000 to R 80,000, according to sellers' websites in November 2026. Furniture, linen and tent prices are not in the results, so most quotes are made per job. The quickest way to get a full quote for your guest count and venue is to create a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Prices are quoted per job, so the quote depends on:

• the items you hire and how many of each, such as chairs, tables, tents or sound equipment;
• the number of guests, the event date and the venue address;
• delivery and installation, which may be priced separately from the hire;
• the style of decor, and whether draping or lighting is included.

Permits and event licences

The City of Tshwane requires an application for an event licence, with fees set by its approved tariffs. The City of Cape Town has an events office that issues event permits. At the Cape Town convention centre, the costs of licences for special requirements that need official endorsement are payable by the event organiser. Check early which licences your venue needs.

Season and outdoor set-up

November is late spring in South Africa, and summer runs from December to February. If your event falls in the summer months, book early and ask for a tent set-up with the hire. The results give no seasonal price pattern for hire.

Sizes, units and venue

Ask for tent and marquee sizes in metres, and give the number of guests and the venue's floor area in square metres. Specify the table and chair count, because quotes are built from quantities. Ask whether delivery and set-up are included in the price.

What to put in your request

Say what you need to hire, how many items, the number of guests, the occasion and the event date. Add the style you want, the venue address, whether you need delivery and installation, and your budget. The more exact the list, the more comparable the offers will be.

Offers come through BlaBlaPrice, which is free for buyers. Describe the event in the chat, and BlaBlaPrice's AI looks through sellers' websites and price lists in South Africa and shows the prices and businesses it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their own offer and terms. Your contacts stay hidden until you decide with whom to exchange them. For other hire items, also compare equipment hire.