By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Once in a while, it’s important to step away from the everyday hustle and recharge with your tribe. For us, a tight-knit group of four women, that moment came in May during the Nampo Harvest Day Expo in Bothaville. We packed our bags, left the buzz of the city behind, and headed for the Free State to soak in a unique mix of agriculture, innovation, and sisterhood.
Being part of the Xploreza team and spending time with Mabs, which consists of working out of her farm once a week, it was only a matter of time before her passion for agriculture rubbed off on me. Last year was my first visit to Nampo, and I was blown away. Nothing prepares you for the sight of an airport with tiny planes and helicopters parked in the middle of maize fields, or the sprawling car parks where you must remember your section or risk walking for hours.
This year, we were better prepared. Accommodation booked early, outfits sorted, and most importantly, our ride locked in: the newly refreshed Volkswagen Touareg, courtesy of VWSA. We planned a two-day adventure – starting from Randfontein, heading to Bothaville for the opening day, sleeping in Klerksdorp, and returning after another full day at the expo.
The Ride
From the moment the Touareg arrived, it was clear we were in for a plush experience. This SUV commands attention with its bold size and elegant lines, but it’s what’s inside that truly steals the show. As we left Joburg in peak-hour traffic the evening before departure, my colleague and I were instantly at ease. Phones paired in seconds, our road trip playlist flowing through the premium sound system, and traffic chaos faded into background noise.
The Touareg’s cabin is beautifully crafted, a haven of high-quality materials and clever tech. The 15-inch touchscreen was responsive and user-friendly, with effortless pairing for both Android and iOS. The USB-C ports meant no one fought over chargers, and the touch controls on the steering wheel kept everything at our fingertips. It’s the kind of car that makes even the most mundane commute feel indulgent.
All Terrains Covered
We hit the road early, with the farm setting the tone for the experience – birds chirping merrily while the cows mooed nonchalantly in the background. With all four ladies aboard, three from the Xploreza team and one guest from the tech world who’s falling in love with farming, the journey to Bothaville was a breeze.
The 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine purred smoothly, offering generous power without any fuss. Paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Touareg delivered a silky drive, whether we were gliding along the freeway or navigating our way through the back roads of Gauteng, North West and Free State. What surprised us most, though, was the fuel economy. After a route that included Joburg, Randfontein, Bothaville, Klerksdorp, Pretoria East and back again, with a three-hour traffic jam towards Bothaville thrown in, we didn’t refuel once. Not once. It truly sipped like a lady.
Massive Boot Space
Our four travel bags disappeared into the boot with space to spare, all 810 litres of it. We could’ve brought back three rams from the expo and still had room for snacks. That’s the kind of practical luxury that turns an SUV from good to unforgettable.
Mixing Business with Pleasure
Nampo itself was, once again, a sensory feast. The stalls, the machinery, the people –there’s nothing quite like seeing the agricultural heartbeat of South Africa up close. And doing it surrounded by women who are as passionate about their work as they are about laughing and talking about anything and everything under the sun, made the experience even more special.
Travelling in the Touareg made this trip one for the books. It matched our energy: powerful, polished, and ready for anything, whether that was dodging potholes or tackling any topic in the back seat.
Sometimes, the best way to reconnect with yourself and your sisters is to hit the open road in something that reminds you how far you’ve come, and the Touareg carried us every kilometre in comfort and style.
