Winter Wool Festival Speaker Programme 

We are very excited to share with you the line-up for the Karoo Winter Wool Festival 2026 Speaker Programmes.

An important component of the Karoo Winter Wool Festival is education, exploring new ideas, while encouraging dialogue and conversation. This year, we have a fantastic line-up of speakers as part of the National Wool Growers’ Boerepraatjies, as well as the broader Karoo Winter Wool Festival Speaker Programme.

On Friday, 3 July 2026, the National Wool Growers will host the annual Boerepraatjies, focusing specifically on what the future may look like for farming in a time of superintelligence and rapidly advancing technology. This is a programme you do not want to miss and promises to spark fascinating conversation.

Saturday sees the launch of the GOOD NEWS KAROO speaker programme, a new initiative that shines a light on positive stories and developments from across the Karoo. We are excited to welcome Dr Johan van Rooyen, who will discuss the inspiring work being done in Steynsburg, followed by Professor Bruce Rubidge, who will take us on a journey through prehistoric time.

The Karoo Women’s Panel is a new addition to the programme and aims to highlight the inspiring work women in the Karoo are doing as they build their own on-farm careers, businesses, and empires.

There is so much to look forward to; be sure to join us!