Traffic stretched for kilometres as visitors made their way to Nampo Park in Bothaville for the much-anticipated Nampo Harvest Day 2025, taking place from 13 to 16 May. As one of the largest agricultural events in the southern hemisphere, this year’s edition is drawing thousands of visitors eager to explore the latest in farming innovation.
‘Nampo is not going anywhere’
The road leading to Nampo Park, particularly the R30 through Bothaville, resembled peak-hour traffic on the N1 in Johannesburg. Despite the early morning chill—temperatures dropped to just 4°C—attendees remained in good spirits. Vehicles, from Toyota Hiluxes and Fortuners to full-sized buses, moved slowly but steadily toward the showgrounds.
It took the Poultry and Livestock Review team nearly an hour to cover the 17km journey from their accommodation to the venue.
“The traffic is not worse than last year, or the year before that,” said Bennie Zaayman, manager of Nampo Park. “There is, unfortunately, only one road through Bothaville, and that’s beyond our control.”
Zaayman encouraged visitors to stay calm and enjoy the experience: “Be patient. Be relaxed. Nampo is not going anywhere.”
Organisers Prepared for Over 86,000 Visitors
As the event officially opened today, organisers are expecting a crowd exceeding 86,000 over the four days. Due to limited accommodation in Bothaville, many attendees are staying in surrounding towns like Klerksdorp and Kroonstad.
Zaayman advised early arrivals to avoid peak traffic: “I recommend leaving around 06:00. Traffic gets heavy between 07:00 and 10:00. With more than 800 exhibitors on site, you’ll want plenty of time to explore.”
Ample parking is available at Nampo Park. Last year, 25,000 vehicles used the on-site parking daily, and this year the grounds can handle up to 30,000 vehicles per day.
A 26% Growth in Visitors
Since its launch in 1967, Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day has seen remarkable growth. According to recently released statistics, visitor numbers have increased by approximately 26% over the past 25 years (excluding 2020 and 2021), rising from 68,900 in 2010 to over 86,400 in 2024.
Visitors can expect a comprehensive showcase of livestock, with breed displays including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs—highlighting the diversity and strength of South Africa’s livestock industry.
The infrastructure at Nampo Park continues to improve as well. For example, the event’s sewerage network now extends over 4.65km—an indication of just how much the venue has evolved to meet growing demands.
As Nampo 2025 continues, it stands not only as a major showcase of agricultural excellence but also as a gathering point for the people and innovations driving the future of African farming.
