Nampo survival guide
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 five days of the Nampo event. Upwards of 70 000 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.
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 are large, spread-out and rather dusty in parts; exploring the exhibits and stalls require a considerable amount of walking and standing. Wear comfortable shoes or sandals.
What to eat?
Vetkoeks, boerie rolls, sosaties, burgers, the famous jafels, curry-and-rice, delicious home-made treats and much more are available at different stalls.
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 kiddies onesies and mugs. Keep an eye on our social media accounts for special promotions at Nampo.
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 décor, plan to spend some time at the Sampi halls, for gifts, art and décor. There’s a wide variety of beautifully made articles.
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’
Finally…
Be sure to buy the Farmer’s Weekly Nampo preview issue – the cover date is 12 May.
The issue will feature a review of equipment on display at Nampo as well as a map of Nampo to help you find your way around the showground.
For more information about Nampo, visit nampo.co.za.
Source: Farmersweekly.co.za
