Agriculture alive and well at record NAMPO Cape Show

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The thousands of people who visited this year’s NAMPO Cape show in Bredasdorp, were impressed by what was on offer. Jannie de Villiers, chief executive officer of Grain SA, also voiced his satisfaction with the advances made by the show.

He says: “NAMPO Cape is still in a settling-in phase, but we are optimistic about its growth. NAMPO attained three aims: To prove agriculture viable, to ensure a positive image of agriculture, and to give the farmer a place where he feels at home.”

Grain SA and 45 other sponsors toiled non-stop to reach these goals and to make NAMPO Cape a huge success. In spite of cold and rainy weather 21 150 visitors passed through the turnstiles to visit the exhibits and see what the 409 exhibitors could offer. The number of visitors and exhibitors even astounded the organisers, who had expected lower figures.

Local communities also share in the success of NAMPO Cape. Not a room was to be had in the guest houses of Bredasdorp and the surrounding towns. Nampo also re-invests in the community: “We invite local organisations such as churches; schools and others to set up food stalls to feed the hungry,” Jannie says.

Emphasis was also placed on the future through special efforts to engage the youth. There were four career shows where children could enter their animals or show their equestrian skills. More serious matters, such as farm security, economic pressures and transformation, were on the agenda of the daily colloquy ‘A Nation in Discussion’, which was held every day in the Santam Auditorium.