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CHAPTER 6
THE GENERAL FEEDBACK
FROM EXHIBITORS IS
THAT THE VOLUME OF
BUSINESS IS MUCH HIGHER
THAN EXPECTED, AND
IN MANY INSTANCES IT
EXCEEDS THE NUMBERS
OF THE PREVIOUS
YEARS. LIKEWISE, THE
FEEDBACK FROM VISITORS
IS SPONTANEOUSLY
POSITIVE ABOUT THE
HIGH STANDARD OF THE
EXHIBITIONS AND THOSE
OF THE GROUNDS.
– Mr Jub Jubelius, Harvest
Day Chairperson; 2006.
raise funds. In subsequent years the Broekman Study Group became involved
in the running of the beer garden, and the Allanridge Study Group manned the
entrance gates. At one stage approximately 500 volunteers were on duty during
a Harvest Day week.
Johan Loxton, Manager: Administration and later Manager:
Commercial Services of NAMPO and then Grain SA 1996 - 2016
When Loxton joined NAMPO in 1996 as Manager: Administration, the foundation of
the Harvest Day and the infrastructure at the venue were established. With a human
resources management and business background his challenge was to adapt this
unique agricultural trade show continually to the most recent trends in collaboration
with the Harvest Day Committee, and to stay at the forefront of technology.
Loxton played a key role in the development of infrastructure (electricity distri-
bution, water reticulation, the sewage system and refuse removal) as well as the
general modernisation of the administration, exhibiting methods, facilities and
communication. He says that they continually focused on the content of what was
being presented and the manner in which the Harvest Day was managed.
As commercial farming started to diversify for the sake of sustainable profitability,
the choice of exhibitors and the facilities dynamically stayed in tune with new
developments and the latest farming technology to be able to give attention to
almost every facet of agriculture today.
With respect to the number of exhibitors, the Harvest Day nearly doubled over the
past two decades since agricultural marketing was deregulated in 1997. Among
other things an even distribution of visitors over the four days was achieved by
making the organised programme the same for each day.
Keeping up with change
In order to involve top exhibitors and keep up with the constant growth of the
Harvest Day, the infrastructure at NAMPO Park was developed functionally and
according to recommendations of the Harvest Day Committee, NAMPO and later
Grain SA reinvested funds annually to upgrade the grounds and the facilities.
The Harvest Day could not escape a decline in public service delivery, and it was
obvious that NAMPO Park had to become self-sufficient for the current needs
and for the future. Technology and aids were therefore involved to install modern
systems for power distribution, water distribution and sewage.
In earlier years support services for safety and disaster aid on the grounds were
provided by the Bothaville local authorities. However, a control centre was con-
structed in 2010 that is continually in contact with the SAPS, traffic authorities,
medical emergency services, air-traffic control and all the services in the grounds
with respect to electricity, gas, sewage, refuse removal and fire fighting during the
Harvest Day. With the co-operation of provincial traffic authorities access routes to
and from the Harvest Day grounds were improved.
The Hennenman Farmers’ Association launched an
initiative in 1998 to erect the wall of remembrance with
the purpose of providing a collection point for the names
of victims of farm attacks. This Wall of Remembrance is
a monument in the memory of those producers and their
families who died in farm attacks since May 1961.
As NAMPO Park’s central location makes it ideal for the
honouring of victims of farm attacks the NAMPO Harvest
Day Committee agreed that the wall of remembrance be
erected on the grounds near the main entrance. By 2016
more than 2 000 names had already been added to
the wall.
WALL OF REMEMBRANCE FINDS A PLACE AT NAMPO PARK
Mr Johan Loxton
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