The four structures compared
Four types of tent cover almost every function hired in South Africa: the peg-and-pole marquee, the aluminium frame tent, the stretch tent and the pop-up gazebo. They differ in what holds them down, what they cost per seat and what ground they can stand on. The table sets them side by side.
| Type | From | Needs pegs? | Best on | Weak at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peg-and-pole marquee | R999 | Yes | Open lawn, large guest counts, lowest cost per seat | Paving; centre poles take floor space |
| Frame tent | R1,850 | No — weight plates | Paving, courtyards, over services, clear-span interiors | Costs more; heavier to rig |
| Stretch tent | R1,650 | Either | Warm weather, irregular spaces, open sides, coastal | Cold or fully enclosed functions |
| Pop-up gazebo | R450/day | Weighted | Stalls, markets, food stations, small yards | Anything past about 20 seated guests |
How to choose in one question
Ask what the tent is standing on. Soft open lawn that takes a peg means a peg-and-pole marquee and the lowest cost per seat you will find. Paving, decking, a courtyard, a body-corporate lawn or anything over irrigation and services rules pegs out entirely and means a frame tent on weight plates. An irregular space, a warm evening or a view you do not want walled off means a stretch tent. A stall or a serving point means a gazebo.
Guest count only becomes the deciding factor once the ground has narrowed the list, which is why the yard should be measured before the guest list is counted — see what size tent do I need.
What each type is actually made of
A peg-and-pole marquee is canvas or PVC over timber or steel centre poles, tensioned outward onto pegs driven into the ground, with guy ropes needing clearance beyond the canvas line. A frame tent is a PVC roof on a self-supporting aluminium skeleton, held down by weight plates or water ballast, with a completely clear interior. A stretch tent is a single sheet of four-way-stretch fabric pulled over adjustable poles into a freeform shape, open on all sides by default. A gazebo is a folding steel or aluminium frame with a fitted roof, weighted at each leg.
Cost ranges for all four sit on how much does tent hire cost, and local East London rates on tent hire prices in East London.
Common questions
What is the difference between a marquee and a tent?
In hire terms they are the same product at different sizes. “Marquee” usually means a large walled structure for a formal function; “tent” covers everything from a 3m gazebo upward.
Which type of tent is cheapest?
Peg-and-pole is cheapest per seat, starting near R999 for a small package with tables and chairs, because it uses poles and pegs rather than an aluminium frame and ballast.
Can a tent go on paving or a driveway?
Yes, but only a frame tent or a weighted stretch tent. Pegs cannot go into paving, so the structure has to hold itself down with weight plates or water ballast.
What is a Bedouin tent?
A Bedouin tent is another name for a stretch tent — a single sheet of stretch fabric pulled over poles into a freeform, open-sided shape.