The 57th NAMPO Harvest Day themed ‘Global agriculture, locally!’ will be held from 13 to 16 May at Nampo Park, Bothaville, Free State.
To make the most of your time at one of South Africa’s largest agricultural events, a bit of planning goes a long way. You can start with the following tips.
Arrive early
Normally, a ‘traffic jam’ in Bothaville and its surrounds means getting stuck behind a combine harvester for a few minutes.
This sleepy rural atmosphere changes radically for the four days of the Nampo event. Upwards of 80 000 visitors descend on the small Free State town over this period and the daily queue of cars can mean a wait of half an hour or longer.
Remember to make a mental note of where you park, otherwise you might struggle to find your car amongst the ocean of vehicles at the end of the day. Consider heading home at around 3pm to avoid sitting in traffic when leaving the grounds.
Road conditions
- R30 Orkney to Bothaville: Open and Clear
- Parys to Viljoenskroon: A lot of potholes (Caution); Take note of re-route due to flooding
- Viljoenskoon to Bothaville – Good condition
- Bloemfontein via Allanridge to Bothaville – Good condition
- Bloemfontein via Wesselsbron to Bothaville: Some potholes, Caution
- Klerksdorp to Bothaville via Orkney: Some roadworks but road rideable
- Orkney to Bothaville: Recommended route from North
- Kroonstad to Viljoenskroon: Good condition
- Hoopstad to Bothaville: Very poor condition
- Leeudoringstad to Bothaville: Some potholes and roadworks
Extreme caution needs to be taken on gravel roads due to flooding conditions.
Sunscreen and a hat
As you will be spending most of the day outdoors in the sun, it is strongly advised that you wear sunscreen and a hat. In case you forget your hat, you can purchase one from the Farmer’s Weekly stall. It is also important to check the weather forecast for the day, as there could be a chance of rain, in which case it is advisable to bring an umbrella or raincoat.
Wear comfortable shoes
The Nampo showgrounds is large, spread-out and rather dusty in parts; exploring the exhibits and stalls require a considerable amount of walking and standing. Wear comfortable shoes.
Feeling hungry?
Vetkoeks, boerie rolls, sosaties, burgers, the famous jafels, curry-and-rice, delicious home-made treats and much more are available. The Fanie Ferreira Hall can seat up-to 1 200 people simultaneously and for people in a hurry there are over 22 specialised and general takeaway stalls. A beer garden is also available and tea room for beverages.
What not to miss
Don’t leave Nampo without visiting the Farmer’s Weekly stall (Nampo Hall, Stands 67 & 84), where you can meet some of the faces behind South Africa’s oldest and most trusted farming magazine.
You can also buy exclusive Farmer’s Weekly merchandise at the stall from hats to shirts to discounted magazine subscriptions. Keep an eye on our social media accounts for special promotions at Nampo.
More to see
The mechanisation displays are also not to be missed. Practical demonstrations of planting, harvesting and tilling equipment are a must-see if you’re thinking of buying new equipment or simply wanting to catch up on the latest technology.
The livestock exhibition features a comprehensive display of cattle, sheep, goat and horse breeds.
If you’re interested in seed cultivars, make sure you pop in at the Nampo seed plots close to the Caltex hall.
The Engen tractor museum makes for an interesting visit and the 4×4 demonstrations always draw large crowds.
If you have an interest in home decor, plan to spend some time at the Sampi halls, for gifts, art and decor.
Other highlights include the Grain SA museum, the Alpha Insure Women’s Programme, and the KamersMakers artisan showcase.
Airfield
Nampo has a take-off and landing strip manned by an air traffic control officer during the day, but the airfield is not registered and is used at your own risk. Be advised that there is considerable air traffic over the Nampo five-day event.
Runway length: 1 200m – grass
Width: 20m x 20m, clean on all sides
Height above sea level: ± 4 500
Air traffic control times: 7am to 5pm
Traffic pattern: left-hand turn
Airspace: Radius S27° 13’ 36”, E26° 41’ 00”, five nautical miles (9k); height above ground 914m.
Radio frequency: 120,2 MHz; call sign ‘Nampo Tower’
For more information about Nampo, visit nampo.co.za.
Are you attending Nampo? Tag @FarmersWeeklySA on your photos and videos on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or X .
