--- title: "Inside NAMPO: South Africa’s agricultural exhibition in the Free State" description: "Each year, the quiet fields of Bothaville in South Africa’s Free State transform into the epicenter of the country’s agricultural industry. NAMPO, the largest agricultural exhibition in sub-Saharan Africa, draws thousands of farmers and industry leaders. Daily Maverick's photographer Felix Dlangamandla captured the show." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "PHOTO ESSAY" author: "Felix Dlangamandla" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-14-felix-nampo/" published: "2025-05-14T13:47:10" updated: "2025-05-14T13:47:13" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 241 --- # Inside NAMPO: South Africa’s agricultural exhibition in the Free State > Each year, the quiet fields of Bothaville in South Africa’s Free State transform into the epicenter of the country’s agricultural industry. NAMPO, the largest agricultural exhibition in sub-Saharan Africa, draws thousands of farmers and industry leaders. Daily Maverick's photographer Felix Dlangamandla captured the show. By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 14 May 2025, 15:47 SAST · Updated 14 May 2025, 15:47 SAST ## Key points - At NAMPO 2025 in Bothaville, farmers swapped ploughshares for selfies with the president, all while navigating a landscape of machinery and memorials that could make even a Brahman bull blush. - NAMPO 2025 in Bothaville showcases cutting-edge agricultural equipment and locally made appliances, attracting a diverse crowd of visitors. - President Cyril Ramaphosa engages with farmers, highlighting government support for the agricultural sector. - A poignant monument commemorates farmers who have lost their lives to violence, underscoring ongoing safety concerns in the industry. - The event serves as a vital platform for networking and innovation within South Africa's agricultural community. ## Content ![Visitors arrive in different modes of transport at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/T6mdM3dT_Ls7AueWSecjulBg3A8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9539.jpg) *Visitors arrive in different modes of transport at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Agriculture equipment is displayed at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/tIat0j0zoXkSiYEbIoaadME_i5g=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9577.jpg) *Agriculture equipment is displayed at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Agriculture equipment is displayed at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/uC-XMRIe39Wig_O8AsvRbtHaSt8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9652.jpg) *Agriculture equipment is displayed at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Farmers look at an exhibition of locally made appliances at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/oVzuMjokDMU5DMU_zlBGte6jlWw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9622-1.jpg) *Farmers look at an exhibition of locally made appliances at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A monument of farmers who have been murdered during farm attacks in South Africa at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/R2Yim5F5QAZeucXI_uGtnYS8FfM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9632-1.jpg) *A monument of farmers who have been murdered during farm attacks in South Africa at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Karabo Tema takes a Brahman bull for a walk at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/d_pU37TOiY3o5J-G5ExjNxy4yrQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9699-1.jpg) *Karabo Tema takes a Brahman bull for a walk at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A Brahman bull at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/mLx57j2EgAK6hxFTl-pM1hKFPD0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9653-1.jpg) *A Brahman bull at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Charolais cattle are exhibited at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wsiyMNYTfk1t55Auk1dQcvxbYko=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9670.jpg) *Charolais cattle are exhibited at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A farmer looks at Nguni cattle exhibited at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/G6CYWsVFxZOkht88b_dKI_bnEZA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9666.jpg) *A farmer looks at Nguni cattle exhibited at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![President Cyril Ramaphosa poses for a selfie with a farmer at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9wfkwefs4ipx6BKGhO_lV12NnA4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V0018.jpg) *President Cyril Ramaphosa poses for a selfie with a farmer at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Farmers look at an exhibition of locally made appliances at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4RHAWDU-BSmoWtnyEB0tUSBZ37U=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9726.jpg) *Farmers look at an exhibition of locally made appliances at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Agriculture equipment is displayed at NAMPO in Bothaville,Free State on 13 May 2025.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Ut5zmWsEFtrn4wpZ9YobfcGv1PE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V9603.jpg) *Agriculture equipment is displayed at NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, on 13 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla). DM*