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THE
GRAIN AND OILSEED INDUSTRY
OF SOUTH AFRICA – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
ႃႊ
Highlights and milestones
Extensions, upgradings and activities that were realised with Johan Loxton at the
helm of Harvest Day matters, were as follows:
• Buildings that were erected in collaboration with exhibitors include Senwes,
Omnia, Claas, Northmec and SA Truck Bodies. Various exhibitors also upgraded
the permanent structures on their stands.
• The access road from the main entrance on the grounds was tarred, dirt roads were
paved and additional lawns were planted between the buildings and on stands.
• Negotiations with John Deere that had already started in Van Zyl’s time were con-
tinued by Loxton and ultimately concluded with the special support of Mouton
as Harvest Day Chairperson.
• A new runway for light aeroplanes and helicopters – with a manned control tower
during the Harvest Day week – was built on the grounds in 1999 and is used
by exhibitors, visitor groups, private pilots and agricultural producers. During
NAMPO 2016 448 aeroplanes and/or helicopters landed there.
• The first phase of an own electricity distribution project on the grounds was
completed in 2000 and a substation and four transformers were commissioned
that year. As it was one of the biggest capital projects until then, Botma did a good
job as Harvest Day Chairperson to obtain the support of NAMPO’s Executive
and Management Committee for the project.
• A 4x4 obstacle course was developed in 2000 at the southern end of the grounds
and was upgraded again in 2008.
• In a random sample that was taken on 15 May 2001, 5 800 producers were
counted at the controlled implement and tool demonstrations.
• A Maize Hop shuttle service to and from NAMPO Park has been operated since
2001 by the Mieliehoofstad chamber of business in collaboration with taxi drivers
from the community of Bothaville. Sponsored vehicles are also used. Since
then the service has been expanded to even include a route from Gauteng and
elsewhere on demand.
• New stands, exhibition spaces, paved roads and toilet facilities were created
every year and resulted in the Harvest Day grounds having been extended
systematically to the south since 2001.
• As a result of practical circumstances restaurants and take-away kiosks were
allocated on a tender basis since 2001 to institutions that are dependent on
fundraising, such as schools, churches and farmers’ societies.
NAMPO Park’s runway for light planes and helicopters is thoroughly utilised during the Harvest Day week.
The 4x4 demonstration track attracts large
groups of spectators every year.