How events add value to the agri sector.
Alldays is renowned for many things: foremost wildlife, secondly hunting (ethically, natuurlik), and, if we’re honest, a kind of frontier spirit that feels only loosely tethered to the rest of South Africa, given its proximity to Botswana and Zimbabwe.
But what stayed with me most, after a recent visit, wasn’t the game or the geography–it was the people. Hierdie is pioniers. Always have been, always will be. It takes a particular soort mens to farm here, let alone thrive.
I found myself quietly chuckling, thinking of Herman Charles Bosman and his Oom Schalk Lourens wisdom: “When you meet a leopard in the veld… you only do one kind of running. And that is the fastest kind.” It felt less like literature and more like practical advice up here.
Having grown up in Limpopo–net nie so ver noord nie – I arrived very much the “kaatjie van die baan.” The new girl. Slightly unsure, slightly cautious… but quickly drawn in.
There were, of course, the usual bushveld initiations. Half-serious warnings about crocodiles outside my room. No mobile signal – die regte agter-die-berge gevoel. And then, the line delivered with absolute clarity:
“Ons praat nie Engels nie.”
To which, thankfully, I could reply: “Ek is Afrikaans.”
Pause. Assessment.
“En… jy praat sonder ‘n accent.”
Deal done. Ek is in. Min of meer.
But what was I doing there?
I was representing Komet Irrigation at the now well-known Valley Rally–one of those South African agricultural concepts that just works. Founded in the US but built to South African perfection.
The formula is deceptively simple:
Bring together leading agri players – Komet Irrigation, NTK, Hunter Agricultural Irrigation, Valley Irrigation
Set up on a working farmer’s land
Add a proper 4×4 course (Hilux, Land Cruiser or maybe a Ford – jy weet mos)
Invite farmers who are keen to learn, connect, and compare notes
Laaste bestanddeel? A first evening where a bottle of brandy per person seems… standard. Let’s just say, by the next morning, I had earned a new title: “dooie bobbejaan.”
Why this matters (and why farmers should care)
Beyond the humour and hospitality, these events are genuinely valuable.
- 1. Learning that sticks
At the Komet stand, Cobus Myburgh held court–sharing why Komet continues to lead in engineering precision, reliability, and real-world performance. No fluff. Net feite.
- 2. Seeing innovation up close
It’s one thing to hear about irrigation performance–another to see it in action. From end guns to sprinklers, the conversation quickly turns practical:
Uniformity that protects yield
Droplet size that minimises drift
Deflectors that perform under pressure
Regulators and nozzle ranges that deliver precise application
This is where Komet Irrigation stands out–turning complex irrigation challenges into solutions that simply work. Elke druppel tel.
- 3. Community
Perhaps most importantly, these gatherings remind you that farming is not done in isolation. It’s a network. A conversation. A shared resilience–especially in places like Alldays.
Alldays, jy het my (hierdie keer) gewen – especially you, Henrico, the only Portuguese man there.
Next time, I’ll arrive less kaatjie van die baan and more prepared for the bosveld–no hiding in the pump house when the temperatures climb north of 35 degrees Celsius.
And to Valley Irrigation, NTK, Hunter Agricultural Irrigation – dankie for including Komet Irrigation.
For any farmer who hasn’t yet attended a Valley Rally: maak ‘n plan.
Because somewhere between the dust, the droplets, and the brandy, you might just learn something that changes your season.
Annelle Whyteclose
