South Africa’s Biggest Pumpkin Weighs in at 653 kg at Goliat van Gat Festival

The 22nd Goliat van Gat Pumpkin Festival set new records this year, celebrating South Africa’s biggest pumpkins and showcasing the incredible spirit of community and agricultural passion.

While this year’s competition fell short of producing the coveted one-ton pumpkin, a record total of 4 342 kg of pumpkins was weighed, the highest collective harvest in the festival’s history. True to the festival’s ethos of giving, all pumpkins will be donated to welfare organisations across Pretoria, helping communities in need.

The 2026 champion was Wykus Lamprecht from Meyerton, whose giant pumpkin weighed a staggering 653 kg. Lamprecht also presented an impressive squash of 492.3 kg, alongside other notable produce, including a 1 kg tomato, a 16.2 kg watermelon, and a 23.8 kg marrow.

The runner-up, Pieter Botha from Pretoria, earned second place with his pumpkin “Poeksie,” weighing 562 kg. Jacky Smal from Sundra claimed third place with a 549.4 kg pumpkin, while the junior winner under 6 years, Dirkie Smal, proudly presented a 133 kg pumpkin.

Officially registered with the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, the Goliat van Gat competition ensures that all winners and their pumpkin weights are recorded alongside global pumpkin-growing competitions.

The festival drew around 2 500 visitors to its new home at the Lavender Kontrei Mark. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including seed-spitting contests, pumpkin races, and live entertainment from popular South African artist Pieter Koen, creating a fun-filled atmosphere for all ages.

Culinary creativity was also on display, with the pumpkin dish competition judged by experts from Steyn’s Culinary School in Hatfield and Willie Strauss. The winners included:

• 1st place: Nic Neveling – Pumpkin beer (Ale)
• 2nd place: AJ Taljaard – Pumpkin pickle
• 3rd place: Mathilda Nel – Pumpkin tart

The festival’s biggest pumpkin, Lamprecht’s 653 kg giant, is now proudly on display at Uitkyk Vleismark, allowing the public to marvel at this extraordinary feat of farming.

Final Results | Goliat van Gat 2026

1. Wykus Lamprecht (Meyerton) | 653 kg
2. Pieter Botha (Pretoria) | 562 kg
3. Jacky Smal (Sundra) | 549.4 kg
4. Cornelis Bester (Heidelberg) | 452.8 kg
5. Dirk Smal (Sundra) | 434.8 kg
6. Alida Bester (Heidelberg) | 336.8 kg
7. Bester Hattingh (Fochville) | 237.4 kg
8. Petrus Mare (Fochville) | 131.4 kg

The continued success of the Goliat van Gat Pumpkin Festival underscores South Africa’s growing passion for pumpkin cultivation and the positive impact such community events have in bringing people together while supporting those in need.