A farmer from the Nuy Valley has just set a new record for the biggest pumpkin in the southern hemisphere at the Giant Pumpkin Festival in Heidelberg, with his entry in the competition weighing 967.5kg.
Pieter Conradie (33), crowned the competition winner, only delved into pumpkin growing four years ago, revealed the Standard & Breederivier Gazette.
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‘My roommate in Elsenburg told me then that I should grow pumpkins, but I never listened,’ recalled Conradie.
Eventually, he heeded his roommate’s advice and even entered the Giant Pumpkin Festival competition, but the journey wasn’t without its challenges.
Disqualified in his first and second attempts, Conradie faced another setback when his pumpkin burst during his third try, attributed to heavy rain.
Despite estimating the weight of his pumpkin this year, Conradie admitted he still had ‘no idea’ about its actual weight.
The festival was held from 4 to 6 April and prizes for the competition included that the biggest pumpkin will win R17 500, and if the South African record is broken, the winner will receive R30 000.
According to Netwerk24, festival management customarily cut open the pumpkins post-competition to extract the seeds for next year’s event and ‘donate the rest to orphanages and nursing homes.’
The festival, which took place from April 4 to 6, offered prizes for the competition, with the largest pumpkin earning R17 500. Breaking the South African record would entitles the winner to R30 000.
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Picture: The Giant Pumpkin Festival, Heidelberg, WC / Facebook
