Bothaville, Goldfields Region, Free State
Bothaville is an agricultural town in the middle of the Free State Maize Triangle, best known as the Maize Capital of South Africa and for the annual NAMPO Agricultural Trade Fair in May, also called NAMPO Harvest Day. NAMPO (National Organisation of Maize Producers) is one of the largest agricultural trade shows in the world, and draws tens of thousands from around the country and internationally. Displays range from pedigree cattle, sheep, horses and other livestock to combine harvesters to 4×4 vehicles – broadening NAMPO’s reach beyond farmers only and the show is well attended by horse lovers and off-road enthusiasts, among others.
NAMPO also hosts a second annual show in September each year. The NAMPO Outdoor Living Expo showcases outdoor living, adventure and eco-tourism.
The surrounding area is dominated by maize fields, but there are also cattle ranches, game farms and stud farms. Other crops produced in the area include sunflowers, groundnuts and roses.
Bothaville is located at the confluence of the Vaal River and the smaller Vals River, and offers good fly-fishing, and is en-route from Gauteng to famed competition fishing spot, the Bloemhof Dam.
A number of local accommodation establishments and farm-stays offer fly-fishing as an activity, and the Wag n Bietjie Farm offers and excellent hiking trail. The Vredefort Dome lies between Vaal Triangle and Bothaville, within an hour’s drive of Bothaville, and offers a number of outdoors activities, as does the Vaal Triangle area (inclusive of Parys and Deneysville).
Bothaville is a fair sized town, with well established facilities, including a number of sports and leisure facilities, specialist shops, shopping centres, and arts and crafts.
No Maize Capital would be complete without Witblits (White Flash), SA’s ‘legal moonshine’ made from maize, and you will find Witblits on sale everywhere. A small local festival celebrates local culinary preferences and offerings and offers tastings of Witblits. The Pioneer Maize Capital Food and Witblits Festival is held each year in October.
Bothaville also has a few historical buildings, such as the Dutch Reform Church and War Memorial commemorating the riders of Boer War.
Getting there: Take the N1 south-east from Johannesburg toward Parys. Turn off for Parys and continue on the R59 to Bothaville via Vredefort and Voljoenskroon. This route will take you through the Vredefort Dome.
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