“NAMPO Cape creates opportunities for the youth to not only see the future of agriculture but to also be actively involved through Youth Show. Learners are given the chance to experience agriculture.  Working with animals is a privilege because it teaches responsibility and promotes emotional growth. Children’s safety and sense of independence are both increased by the link that develops between humans and animals,” says Madeline Kriel, coordinator of the Overberg Regional Youth Show.

Overberg Regional Youth Show Competition

The Overberg Youth Show Competition taking place on Saturday, 16 September 2023, is one of eight regional competitions in the Western Cape in which learners participate to qualify for the Western Cape Youth Show Championships. During the WP championships, a team is selected to participate in the National Youth Show championships.

Boys and girls up to the age of 17 can actively participate in the Youth Show competitions. The three age categories are: Junior-juniors (ages 5-10), Juniors (ages 11-14) and Seniors (ages 15-17). The 14 classes which can be entered include: dairy and beef cattle; wool and mutton sheep; Angora, mutton, and dairy goats; poultry; horses; racing and fancy pigeons; rabbits; young auctioneers; culinary art and dairy products. The closing date for entries is 30 August 2023.  To enter contact Madeline Kriel at madelinekriel894@gmail.com or 071 280 0239.

Pierre Human, Deputy Chairperson of the Western Cape Youth Show Association, and a youth show coach, says that it is important to involve the youth in agriculture especially from a young age. “We have found that youth show is quite well-liked, particularly among students who do not regularly have access to agriculture. It is crucial to develop and encourage their exposure and participation in agriculture for a sustainable future.”

Agri Expo Youth Show training session at NAMPO Cape

“The two years of no Youth Show activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has had a detrimental effect on the participation of younger learners. We have seen a decline in the number of entries of young and new Youth Show participants. With the support of Agri Expo, we are able to offer first-time participants aged  5 – 13 years a training session in all classes at the Overberg Youth Show Competition. Participants will acquire crucial skills to launch their Youth Show careers,” explains Madeline Kriel.

“Youth Show ought to play a bigger role in the South African Agriculture Sector. Youth Show is a source of future agricultural leaders, and it can be seen in the achievements of former Youth Show competitors in tertiary training and the professional world. We welcome this opportunity to also expose learners with disabilities and learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to the benefits of youth show,” says Breyton Milford, Chairperson of the Western Cape Youth Show Association. The training session for all classes will take place on 16 September from 08:00 till 09:45. For more information, or to enter contact Madeline Kriel at madelinekriel894@gmail.com or 071 280 0239.

Sponsors support Youth Show

A competition like this would not be possible without the support of sponsors. “We are grateful for the sponsorships from Neptun, BKB, Hollard, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Voermol, ARDS, Agri Expo and Varsmark Bredasdorp for their support. They are crucial partners of Overberg Youth Show and share the love of agriculture,” concludes Ms Kriel.

See you there

Registration will take place from 8:00 at Gate C,  BKB Livestock Centre and entries must be submitted by the 30th of August. For more information contact Madeline at madelinekriel894@gmail.com or  071 280 0239. Spectators are welcome to experience the spirit of Youth Show and what the competition entails on the 16th of September 2023 from 10:00. The animals will be shown at the BKB Livestock Centre, and the culinary arts and dairy products competition will be in the Distinctive Choice Tent in front of the BKB Building.

Entry tickets are available online  at www.ticketpros.co.za. Prices for online tickets are R80 for adults and R40 for school-age children. Pre-schoolers get in for free. There will be tickets available at the gates at R90 for adults. The expo runs from Wednesday, 13 to Friday, 15 September from 08:00 to 17:00 and Saturday, 16 September from 08:00 to 15:00. Visitors can contact the Cape Agulhas Tourism Office for accommodation on 028 424 2584 / 082 896 2225 or www.overberg-info.co.za. For more information about NAMPO Cape 2023, visit www.nampokaap.co.za, contact Chrystal van Wyk on 028 050 1385 or send an email to admin@expo.org.za.