South Africa is the mohair capital, both in terms of quality and quantity, with 95% of the world’s mohair passing through the Port Elizabeth port. Producers from across the world imports their produce to the Eastern Cape for further beneficiation at either of the two processing plants located in Uitehnage and East London. Nelson Mandela Bay is also home to two mohair yarn spinning factories based in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. A total of 75-80% of the mohair fed into these plants originates from within the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape.

 

The South African Mohair industry is involved in various business sectors namely:

 

A number of opportunities exist for further development, investment and growth in the mohair industry.

 

 

With a declining global mohair clip count, it is vital that more farmers are encouraged to farm with Angora goats. The goats are valuable for their skin, meat and fleece, which are shorn twice a year. In 1988, 26 million kilograms of mohair was produced annually. Currently, the global figure stands at only 5.3 million kilograms of mohair produced annually. Opportunities also exist to:

 

·         Increase the use of mohair fibre in the interior design and lifestyle markets e.g. carpets, wall paper, and upholstery in commercial and domestic markets; and

·         Increase the use of mohair for industrial uses as it is virtually non flammable, exceptionally durable and offers brilliant insulation capabilities (keeps things cool and hot when required).

 

The availability of land for mohair farming is however a major obstacle to the growth of the industry. Farmers within the Cacadu District are encouraged to contact Mohair South Africa, should they be able to assist with the provision of land.

 

Another factor that is hampering the growth of the mohair industry is a serious shortage in the availability of shearing skills, which is referred to as a dying trade. Mohair South Africa recently embarked on a training programme which skilled 24 candidates over a one-year long training course in the art of shearing. Funding for the initiative was received from the National Skills Fund. Potential candidates are requested to contact Mohair South Africa, should they be willing and able to be skilled in this trade.

 

 

The Mohair Summit, which took place in November 2009 in Graaff Reinet presented the ideal opportunity for both government and private sector role-players to meet and review the current state of the mohair industry. In addition, the summit served as a platform for meetings between local role-players and mohair industry representatives from China.

Among the outcomes of the Summit is a better understanding amongst role-players of the industry about the shortcomings, challenges and opportunities.

 

The strength of the partnership between government and industry has a significant impact on the sustainability of mohair production and the general capacity of the industry to uphold the global mohair clip count at acceptable levels. It is critical for government role-players to take note of the opportunities granted for economic development through the mohair industry. The two top making plants and spinners located within the Eastern Cape, for instance, present an opportunity for further development should they receive the necessary support and assistance from government. 

 

 

With agri-tourism on the increase, Mohair South Africa has launched the Mohair Meander, a route which takes visitors to historical towns, from Beaufort West through to Jeffreys Bay, in order to experience several world class museums and mohair production facilities along the way. These include the Jan-Paul Barnard factory in Alicedale, the Umsobomvu Development Cooperation in Middleburg where weaving takes place and the country’s first mohair museum, the Mohair Experience in Jansenville.

 

Initiatives such as the Mohair Meander go a long way towards showcasing the industry in all its glory.

 

 

The outlook for the mohair industry looks promising. Opportunities lie in the stimulation of further employment through further beneficiation, while the possible rebranding of Nelson Mandela Bay as the Mohair Capital of the world will add momentum to the industry on a global scale.