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IOL News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
At South Africa's top farm fair, Afrikaners are divided over Trump
The 57th NAMPO Harvest Day, proudly presented by Grain SA and held from 13 - 16 May 2025 at NAMPO Park, concluded on a high note last week, reaffirming its position as the Southern Africa's largest and most influential grain-focused agricultural trade exhibition. Image: NAMPO/Facebook South Africa's premier agricultural fair recently showcased livestock, massive tractors and rows of pick-up trucks, a paradise for Afrikaner farmers but many are divided over President Donald Trump's claims of persecution. In trademark khaki shorts and caps, hundreds of farmers gathered at the annual Nampo show in Bothaville, some 220 kilometres south of Johannesburg, days after a first group of Afrikaners were welcomed into the United States as "refugees". "There is no doubt there is a genocide in South Africa," said maize farmer John Potgieter, echoing false claims made by Trump in attacks on the South African government and its policies. Pointing to a nearby monument listing the names of farmers killed in attacks since the 1960s, the 31-year-old insisted that the white Afrikaner minority was a target in the black-majority country. "Obviously, genocide is a broad word. It is not a mass genocide like the Holocaust," Potgieter conceded. A murder rate that averages 75 a day is among South Africa's grim statistics. Most of those who are killed are young black men in urban areas, even if attacks on farms are a harsh reality. Experts say about 50 farmers from all racial groups are killed annually. "It is much safer in a farm than in a town," said sheep and goat farmer Eduard van der Westhuizen. "There are problems, murders sometimes, but it is not targeted," he said, holding a shepherd's crook. "I won't go anywhere else, this is my country, I love it," he added. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa protested after 49 white Afrikaners flew out of Johannesburg earlier this month, accepting Trump's offer of refuge. "They can't provide any proof of any persecution because there is not any form of persecution to white South Africans or to Afrikaners South Africans," Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters. President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the claims of genocide as politically motivated, with the countries at odds over a range of policy issues. "There is no genocide here. We are beautiful, happy people, black and white working and living together," Ramaphosa said recently. The first group of Afrikaners from South Africa to arrive for resettlement listen to remarks from US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar Image: SAUL LOEB / AFP Resettlement 'a farce' Held in the heart of South Africa's maize, sunflower and sorghum farming district, this year's Nampo boasted over 900 exhibitors, including dealers in handguns and AR-15 automatic rifles. Gun sales had increased in areas that had seen farm attacks, said Willem Jordaan, head of marketing at Dave Sheer Guns. "It's important to have a means of self-defence," he told AFP. But Trump's invitation to white Afrikaners to settle was a "farce", said a farm equipment dealer with a silver moustache. For Danny Snyman, 18, Trump had raised awareness about the issues in South Africa, admitting though he had never heard of any murders, only "lots of stealing". The rookie farmer said he was attracted by opportunities in the United States. "I would definitely go overseas, maybe to tour and see what it is like and maybe go work there for a month or two, but yeah, I'd probably come back," he said. The US president's claims that white Afrikaners face "unjust racial discrimination" come with ties between Pretoria and Washington at a low over policy issues, including the war in Ukraine. Land ownership remains one of South Africa's most sensitive post-apartheid issues, with the white community, around eight percent of the population, owning more than three-quarters of farms. Afrikaner-led governments imposed the brutal race-based apartheid system that denied the black majority political and economic rights until it was voted out in 1994. AFP
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Attending Nampo as a farmer: Walking in President Cyril Ramaphosa's shoes
President Cyril Ramaphosa was spotted on the first day of the Nampo in Bothaville, not in an official capacity, but 'to do a bit of shopping' for his game farm in Limpopo. Taking on Nampo in 20-year-old shoes He said he didn't give much thought to his footwear before heading to the Nampo this year. 'I've had these shoes for 20 years,' he told Farmer's Weekly. Nampo Park spans 40ha, and visitors often walk 4km to 5km a day to see everything on offer. 'By day two, people usually complain about blisters, calluses and hot spots,' said sister Pircelle Smit from Lenmed, which provides free medical services at the event. 'We treat them with ointments and plasters.' According to Smit, Ramaphosa made a smart footwear choice. 'Worn-in shoes are best. Don't come to Nampo in brand-new shoes.' Farmer to farmer talks with Ramaphosa Dirk Strydom, Grain SA managing director, confirmed that Ramaphosa had informed them a few days before Nampo that he and his farm manager would be attending as farmers. 'We are going to talk farming matters with him, farmer to farmer,' said Strydom. He added that the sustainability of farming and how to create an environment where farmers can flourish would be among the topics discussed with Ramaphosa. 'Other officials, who are in contact with the president, will be visiting Nampo later this week when we will discuss policies,' he said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Nampo Harvest Day kicks off, spotlighting the future of South African agriculture
Nampo Harvest Day, hosted by Grain SA, earmarked as the biggest agricultural show in the Southern hemisphere, kicked off in Bothaville in the Free State on Wednesda Nampo Harvest Day, hailed as the largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, officially commenced on Wednesday, welcoming industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. Hosted by Grain SA, the annual event anticipates a robust showcase of innovations, technologies, and collaborations designed to fortify the future of South African agriculture. Grain SA acknowledged the pressing global challenges that modern agriculture faces, ranging from climate change to the intricacies of interconnected food systems. The forthcoming Nampo Harvest Day, running from 13 to 16 May, will emphasise the importance of utilising global knowledge and innovations to empower local producers. The Nampo Harvest Day continues to uphold its reputation as a platform where local farmers can engage with international advancements while respecting South Africa's unique agricultural landscape. Grain SA said the event remained the one-stop platform for producers, agribusinesses, and service providers to connect, collaborate, and trade. 'Global Agriculture Locally' is not just a theme: it's a timely lens for South Africa's grain producers to view their role in a fast-changing agricultural economy," it said. "The exchange of ideas, technology, and practices across borders presents unprecedented opportunities for local farmers to increase their resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability. From climate-smart practices to precision agriculture, South African producers are part of a global network of knowledge - but with deep roots in local soil.' Grain SA said that food security, input costs, and production efficiency continue to dominate agricultural conversations. Nampo 2025 provides producers with the tools, technologies, and relationships they need to navigate this complex landscape. 'Whether it's cutting-edge machinery, climate-adaptive seed varieties, agri-finance services, or digital solutions, Nampo remains the platform where local meets global in real time.' Dr Dirk Strydom, managing director of Nampo, said that South African producers understand that they were not farming in isolation. 'What happens globally, whether it's innovation, trade flows, or climate patterns, affects what happens locally," Streydom said. "Nampo gives producers access to global agriculture in one location, with solutions they can use today. It remains the ultimate one-stop event for any serious player in the agricultural industry.' Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said that Nampo remained the single most important event on the South African agricultural calendar. 'It is not just a showcase of the latest technology and innovation; it is a place where relationships are built, businesses are formed, and the future of farming is discussed," he said. Rossouw added that for family farmers, Nampo was a vital platform to access the tools and networks they needed to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving sector. 'From mechanisation to digital solutions, and from policy dialogue to youth involvement, Nampo creates the space for farmers of all scales to find their place in the future of agriculture,' Rossouw said. He added that its significance to the sector lied in its ability to bring the entire value chain together: government, private sector, organised agriculture, and farmers, all in one place, sharing ideas and driving the industry forward. Theo Boshoff, CEO for the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz), said that Nampo was an opportunity both for the sector to showcase the latest innovations, trends, and technology but also to celebrate the role of the industry in the broader economy. 'It is therefore as much an opportunity for companies to market their products as it is to celebrate the sector at the time when the summer crop is being harvested,' he said. 'It brings together agricultural leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss the burning issues facing the sector.' Visit
Daily Maverick
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Ramaphosa calls Afrikaans ‘refugee' trek to US a ‘cowardly act' at Nampo agricultural show
President Ramaphosa let loose about the Afrikaans 'refugees' to the US during unscripted remarks while visiting South Africa's premier showcase for commercial farmers. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the 59 Afrikaners who had flown to the US as 'refugees' had committed a 'cowardly act' and were clearly unhappy with efforts to redress the inequities of the apartheid past. 'I think that it's a sad moment for them. They may be feeling excited that they left the country, that they've got somebody like President (Donald) Trump,' Ramaphosa said at an impromptu press briefing at the annual Nampo harvest festival near the Free State town of Bothaville. Ramaphosa was pointedly flanked by officials of Grain SA, the umbrella group for South African grains farmers, including CEO Tobias Doyer. 'But in the end it's a group of South Africans demonstrating that the changes and transformation that we are embarking on here, they're not favourably disposed to it. That's why they are running away. As South Africans, we are resilient. We don't run away from our problems,' Ramaphosa said. 'And if you look at all national groups in our country, black and white, they've stayed in this country because it's our country and we must not run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve our problems. When you run away you are a coward, and that's a real cowardly act.' The 'refugees' arrived in the US on Monday, 12 May 2025, and were welcomed by top US officials who claimed they had been 'living under a shadow of violence and terror' in South Africa. Pretoria has categorically denied allegations of Afrikaner persecution in South Africa — allegations that are red meat for US President Donald Trump's racially-charged Maga political base. 'I'm here as a farmer but the organisers also wanted me to be here as the president. So I'm here in both roles to listen to them and discuss policy matters,' Ramaphosa said. Top of that list will be the Expropriation Act that allows for the confiscation of land by the state without compensation — a policy that stirred the embers of Trump's crusade against South Africa. Ramaphosa's remarks were brief and he then embarked on the back of a tractor-hauled trailer to go view the sights of Nampo, including the cattle stand where he said he hoped to see some brahman. DM
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nampo 2025 kicks off: Traffic backed up for kilometres on first day
Nampo 2025 kicks off: Traffic backed up for kilometres on first day Traffic was backed up as far as the eye could see as visitors waited to enter Nampo Park for the 2025 version of the harvest day show, which is happening for the next four days. Farmer's Weekly reports thousands of visitors are expected to visit the 40-hectare showground from now until Friday. 'Nampo is not going anywhere' The traffic on the R30 through Bothaville to Nampo Park can easily be compared to peak-hour traffic on the N1 to Johannesburg during a weekday. However, motorists are generally more relaxed in this agricultural area of the Free State than their city counterparts, even though the temperature dropped to 4°C early this morning, and Toyota Hiluxes, Fortuners and buses drove bumper-to-bumper. It took the Farmer's Weekly team around an hour to travel the 17kms from our accommodation. '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 going through Bothaville. That's something we cannot change.' 'Be patient. Be relaxed. Nampo is not going anywhere,' Zaayman added. Organisers geared to accommodate thousands of visitors Nampo kicked off today, and organisers expect more than 86 000 visitors over the week. Accommodation is limited, with many visitors staying as far as Klerksdorp and Kroonstad. 'It's usually an early start for visitors. I recommend leaving around 06:00. The peak traffic times are between 07:00 and 10:00. I suggest not arriving after that. There are over 800 exhibitors, and it's worth taking your time to visit each one,' said Zaayman. There is ample parking on the grounds. Zaayman said 25 000 vehicles used the parking facilities last year. 'We can accommodate up to 30 000 vehicles per day.' Growth of around 26% Grain SA's Nampo Harvest Day has grown from humble beginnings in 1967 to the largest agricultural trade exhibition in the southern hemisphere. Statistics recently released by Grain SA show that, over the past 25 years (excluding 2020 and 2021), visitor numbers have increased by around 26% — from 68 900 in 2010 to 86 407 last year. Visitors can also expect to see breed examples including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Here are the stats: The exhibitor area spans over 40 hectares, with almost 5 hectares under roof. The power supply at Nampo Park is serviced by 7km of voltage cable and 15 transformers. Nine boreholes and a main water line spanning 4.2km supply water to the showgrounds. 450 000 litres of water are consumed daily. The sewerage network is 4.65km long. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
