Bothaville resident and owner of the Mielie Hop Shuttle service, Hettienne von Abo-Moolman, says the service to and from Nampo has been running for more than 25 years, first starting in 2001 as a shuttle service from OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport to Bothaville.
“Originally, we used bakkies to shuttle international attendees from the major airports. We then realised that, because of the congestion, there was a need for a shuttle service that would not only remove the need to drive in Bothaville, but also avoid having to park far from the showgrounds,” she says.
Nampo attendees can park their cars anywhere near the various pick-up points in Bothaville and make use of the service. Designated Mielie-Hop parking will be provided at the Bothaville Info Centre.
Leave your car, jump on a shuttle, and leave the congestion on the R30 route to Bothaville to the shuttle driver to negotiate.
The shuttle arrives right at the Mielie-Hop Gate on the northern side of Nampo Park, which is reserved for the exclusive use of the service and is also accessible for disabled visitors.
Von Abo-Moolman employs local taxi drivers and residents of Bothaville during the period Nampo is in progress, and now manages a fleet of eight minibuses and a vehicle fetching attendees from the airport upon special request.
An additional bus is available to collect attendees in Potchefstroom at the Mooi River Mall Checkers entrance every day, also requiring prior booking as space is limited.
Shuttles run daily from Tuesday 12 May to Friday 15 May 2026. The Bothaville shuttle rate is R50 one-way, and the Potchefstroom rate is R250 one-way. The shuttle is a cash-only service.
Pick-up points:
Stop 1: Louvre guest house (5 Eike Street, Bothaville)
7am, 8am and 9am
Stop 2: Bothaville High School Hostel (Symond Street)
7.10am, 8.10am and 9.10am
Stop 3: Bothaville Info Centre (63 President Street)
7.15am, 8.15am, 9.15am, 1pm and 2pm
Stop 4: Mielie-Hop Gate, Nampo Park (return to Bothaville)
8.40am, 9.40am, 10.40am, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm
Additional pickup point: Potchefstroom (Mooi River Mall Checkers entrance)
The journey takes approximately 1,5 hours.
6.30am pick-up, and 5pm return
For bookings and more information, contact Hettienne von Abo-Moolman on 083 439 1140 or [email protected].
