Strides by Gqeberha-based wool and mohair industry key for economic diversification
Published: October 27, 2022<< BACK TO NEWS
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Retief Odendaal praised Gqeberha-based Cape Wools South Africa and Mohair South Africa for their impressive international growth that plays a critical part in the diversification of the local economy.
Often affectionately referred to as the Detroit of South
Africa due to global manufacturing giants such as Volkswagen SA, Isuzu SA, Ford
and lately Chinese car manufacturers calling the region home, the
diversification of the local economy is important to create jobs and increase
economic growth.
Mayor Odendaal made these remarks following the visit of an
Italian delegation as part of the Fashion Bridges initiative aimed at improving
trade relations between Italian and South African businesses.
Mohair South Africa’s Jackie Gant said at a networking
session at the Boardwalk last night that local Angora goat farmers produce 51%
of the global mohair market share (of which 90% is produced in the Eastern
Cape) due to the ideal local Karoo weather conditions favouring Angora goat
flock farming.
She explained that mohair is a niche fibre catering for a
niche market segment.
"Nelson Mandela Bay is truly the global mohair capital with
the largest mohair spinner in the world in Kariega and another in Gqeberha not
far behind, 80% of our produce is channelled through the ports of Ngqura and
Port Elizabeth of which 70% is exported to Italy and China,” Gant said.
Most of the rest of the world’s mohair is imported into
Gqeberha and processed at Gubb
& Inngs (part of the Stucken Group) in Kariega
and Samil Processing near King Williams Town from where it is exported.
Deon Saayman, General Manager of Cape
Wools SA, told the delegation that Cape Wools South Africa’s contribution to
the international wool market is recognised as sustainably certified produce, positioning
South African wool favourably in the international market.
"Almost 37% of the South African wool
market emanates from the Eastern Cape which makes Gqeberha the wool capital of
South Africa.
"We have 8 000 commercial farmers and 45
000 communal farmers producing 42 million kilograms of wool annually, with
between 70 and 80 percent of the wool clip exported to China,” Saayman said.
Both Mohair South Africa and Cape Wools SA played a
significant role over the last decade to transform their respective industries
by improving the yield from black farmers.
Executive Mayor Retief Odendaal said it is important that
the transformational agenda at these companies be commended as they not only
bring new entrants to the market, they are also increasing their market share
globally.
"Mohair SA established ten emerging mohair enterprises
through its empowerment arm, The Empowerment Trust under the management of
Beauty Mokgwamme. These entities contribute 13 000 kilograms of mohair to the
clip.
"Similarly, is the wool yield of the thousands of communal
farmers from the former Transkei and Ciskei areas.
"The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has an important role
to play to ensure that a conducive environment exists for local businesses to
compete in the marketplace.
"We are open for business and are looking at ways to ensure
that business approvals become seamless in our city,” Mayor Odendaal added.
Between 800 and 900 commercial farmers produce mohair with
approximately 30 000 people benefiting from this niche fibre. The Fashion
Bridges ingenuity was initiated by the Italian Embassy based in Johannesburg.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality by
Media Management Officer Kupido Baron (082 780 2726 / 041 506 1500 /
@kupidobaron).
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