Dirk Strydom, managing director of Nampo, said that the return of animals had brought renewed energy to the two-day event held at Nampo Park outside Bothaville in the Free State, on 2 and 3 October, 2026.
Strydom said preliminary figures indicated that around 5 000 people attended over the two days, although the final total was still being verified.
“The return of animals to Nampo Alfa brought a special energy to this year’s expo. Having livestock back on the grounds was a welcome highlight for producers, exhibitors, and families, with the competitions showcasing the quality and dedication of South Africa’s breeders,” he said.
Strydom added that the event’s practical nature remained one of its strengths, combining livestock competitions, youth development, hunting, outdoor activities, and family entertainment.
“The schools were also a highlight through the Farm Skills competition. It was wonderful to see the learners’ passion,” he added.
Livestock returns under strict protocols
The extensive livestock programme was particularly significant amid the ongoing FMD challenge. Strict biosecurity protocols and vaccination requirements enabled animals to participate throughout the event.
Loubser said FMD remained a risk, but the livestock industry had learnt to manage it more effectively.
“FMD is not over yet, but we have learnt how to handle it. We are no longer prisoners of it.”
“There is a way to do it. You follow the correct protocols, and then you can continue. We followed our protocols, and it went well,” Loubser explained.
He said producers had a strong need to market their animals and place their genetics before potential buyers again.
“We probably had one of our best interbreed championships in 10 years. It tells you that the industry is trying to find itself again,” Loubser noted.
The Old Mutual Wealth National Interbreed Male Title went to Brahman bull ARC 22-131, known as Ramkat and owned by José Masciel of Arc-en-Ciel Brahman Stud in Secunda, Mpumalanga. The National Interbreed Champion Female title was awarded to a Simmentaler cow owned by Kobus Erasmus of Little Creek Simmentalers in Lephalale, Limpopo.
The inaugural BKB Super 10 Goat Show was another highlight. Andrew and Jumari Roberts of Maize Valley Farms won the Boer Goat section and overall interbreed championship with the Savanna ram Demolisher.
The Kalahari Red title was shared by Maize Valley Farms and Albie Horn of Albian Stud, while Jannes Wasserman of Jewel of Africa won the Savanna section.
A meeting place for the industry
The Road to Recovery discussion on the first day gave the livestock industry’s broader challenges a prominent place on the programme. Speakers said the red meat sector did not lack strategies or committed people, but remained constrained by weak coordination, inadequate funding, and poor implementation.
Loubser said the discussion demonstrated Nampo Alfa’s potential to become a meeting place where livestock roleplayers could address the sector’s challenges together.
“It is the place where we come together. It is the place where we talk to one another,” he said.
Camping, the music festival, and other activities also strengthened Nampo Alfa’s family appeal.
Expansion planned for 2027
According to Loubser, organisers plan to extend the compact Super 10 format to a sheep breed in 2027, while broadening the programme to include sheep, horses, dogs, and other livestock.
“We have done the Super 10 for goats, and next year we are going to introduce it for a sheep breed as well as dogs, although we have not yet decided which breeds,” Loubser said.
Plans for next year also include an Africa Livestock Conference and a broader African livestock programme.
“Alfa stands for African Livestock Expo, and that African component is very important to us. It is not merely something we say because it sounds good.”
“We are planning an Africa Livestock Conference for next year. There will be a definite African livestock programme,” Loubser pointed out.
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