Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr.) a fool (sometimes used affectionately); also as adj.

1949, 1980		cited in J. & W. Branford Dict. S. Afr. Eng. (1987).
1966		N. Monsarrat Life Is a Four-Letter Word 208: I was stopped by a large blond cop with an effective snarl. ‘Didn’t you see the robot, you pampoen?’.
1972		H. Lever S. Afr. Voter 63: He is not a ‘pampoen’. Wilson is a communist.
1982		M.V. Mzamane Children of Soweto 179: Whoever knows what goes on in that pampoen head of yours?
1997		CyberBraai Lex. at www.matriots.com 🌐 PAMPOEN: This is a pumpkin [...] But it is also a useful insult. If a rugby player drops the ball when he has an open field in front of him, it is appropriate to shout: ‘Hey – you bladdy pampoen!’.
2004		L. Gilfillan et al. Fallen Walls 56: ‘This pampoen was working for the police.’ We had no tolerance towards such a person.
2010		Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) 31 Mar. 🌐 Just because he sings songs about vrot pampoens doesn’t mean he is one.