The Weekly Diary: Timber Connections, a Wandering Hippo, and the Highlights of NAMPO 2026

Welcome back, Potchefstroom! We have officially wrapped up Week 20 of 2026, and it has been an absolute blockbuster of a week. From practical home-improvement updates right here in town to tracking some wild, unexpected local wildlife, our team has been on the move constantly.

Image(Created) : The Go-To Guy

But the biggest highlight of the week took us slightly outside our usual borders to experience the dust, the diesel, and the sheer scale of the annual NAMPO Harvest Day. We also capped the week off with some incredible local sporting action on the rugby field.

Settle in with a warm drink for your comprehensive, 10-minute deep dive into the events, highlights, and stories that shaped our community over the past week.

Our Eyes in the Field: Potchefstroom

Our local "Our Eyes in the Field" segments focused heavily on making your projects easier and keeping a very close watch on a new, heavy-weight visitor making his way toward our riverbanks.

May 11: Perfecting the Details at Build it

We kicked off Monday by looking at the nuts and bolts of home improvement. If you have ever been in the middle of a DIY project or a major construction build, you know that it is often the smallest details that cause the biggest headaches. There is nothing more frustrating than having to stop work because you are missing a specific fastener or connection.

The team at Build it Potchefstroom has taken note of this. They have just unveiled a brand-new, specialized shelving section dedicated entirely to the essential detail items that hold your projects together.

• What you will find:  The section is packed with a massive variety of specialized fittings, robust hooks, and critical timber connectors.

• The Benefit:  Everything has been neatly categorized, organized, and spaced out, meaning you no longer have to spend an hour rummaging through loose bins. You can walk in, find the exact connection you need, and get back to site immediately. From minor weekend repairs to major structural timber framing, Build it has your connections sorted.

May 11: Wildlife Alert – The Boskop Hippo is on the Move!

Later that afternoon, our team headed out to Tanglewood on a high-stakes scouting mission. Rumors have been swirling through the community about a certain large, semi-aquatic mammal, and we wanted to see if we could catch a glimpse of our new "neighbor."

While the majestic Boskop hippo didn't show his face for our cameras on the day, our trip was far from a waste of time. The latest intelligence from the ground reveals that fresh tracks have been discovered, and they tell a fascinating story: The hippo is actively moving toward Potchefstroom.

Since he was last spotted upstream near Tanglewood, the direction of the deep footprints indicates that he is slowly strolling downstream, edging closer and closer to our town borders. Where exactly this traveler originated remains an absolute mystery, but it seems he is quite curious to see what Potch has to offer!

A Note of Safety from The Go-To Guy: While this is incredibly exciting for local wildlife enthusiasts, we urge all residents to exercise extreme caution near the waterlines. Hippopotamuses are famously unpredictable, fiercely territorial, and can move at terrifying speeds both in the water and on land. Enjoy the thrill of the story, but give him his space. Have any of you spotted fresh tracks closer to town? Get in touch and let us know!

The Go-To Guy at NAMPO 2026

By mid-week, the dust and petrol of NAMPO 2026 called our name. Our media team packed their bags and headed out to bring you the ultimate coverage of Africa's largest agricultural exhibition. If you couldn't make it through the gates this year, we made sure you didn't miss a thing.

May 13: Dust, Petrol, and... Porsches?

There really is nothing quite like the unique atmosphere of NAMPO. The smell of fresh soil mixed with diesel, the hum of massive machinery, and the smell of premium farm style food makes it an annual highlight.

We spent Wednesday walking the sprawling grounds to show you exactly what to expect from the 2026 event. We looked at everything from cutting-edge agricultural technology and automated farming software to the absolute best local food stalls on the map. But who said NAMPO is strictly reserved for tractors and livestock?

The automotive displays this year went to a whole new tier. Porsche arrived in style, completely stealing the spotlight and drawing massive crowds of car enthusiasts who wanted to see high-performance luxury juxtaposed against rugged farm gear. It was an absolute showstopper.

May 15: Ladies, NAMPO is for You Too!

On Friday, we wanted to break a major misconception. Historically, people tend to think of NAMPO as an outing exclusively tailored for the guys to look at tools and heavy machinery. We dropped a specialized video feature to prove that this couldn't be further from the truth.

The lifestyle, décor, and boutique side of the exhibition has grown exponentially for 2026. We took a walkthrough of some of the most popular pavilions to showcase what is waiting for the ladies:

• Kuifkop:  We stopped by this fan-favorite stall to capture their unique style, offering incredible inspiration for anyone looking to add a distinct touch to their lifestyle and wardrobe.

• Mohair South Africa:  This was a beautifully curated space filled with pure elegance, showcasing premium beauty products, gorgeous home décor, and high-end fashion elements.

If you’ve been on the fence about attending because you aren't into farming equipment, our Friday coverage showed that NAMPO 2026 is a world-class lifestyle destination for the whole family.

Local Sport: Women's Rugby Takes Center Stage

May 16: Potch Dorp Women vs. Ikageng Women

We wrapped up our week on Saturday right back on home soil for an incredible display of local athleticism and passion. The rugby fields came alive as the Potch Dorp Women's Team went head-to-head against the Ikageng Women's Team.

Women's rugby is growing at a massive rate in our region, and this local derby proved exactly why. The physicality, tactical awareness, and sheer determination on display from both squads was inspiring to watch from the sidelines.

It was a hard-fought battle that brought supporters from both communities together, showing the true power of sport to unite and entertain. Huge congratulations to all the players who left it all out on the pitch!

Looking Ahead to Week 21

From organizing our toolboxes with Build it to tracking hippos and exploring the massive lanes of NAMPO, Week 20 has been a whirlwind of local pride and adventure.

As we move into the coming week, our cameras are remaining firmly turned on our community. With our new studio presenter, Milla, getting settled behind the scenes, we are preparing for some great content to drop very soon. Keep your eyes on our page, stay safe near the rivers, and let's make the new week count!