Embrace the rich legacy of South African Mohair, often hailed as the "Diamond Fibre" akin to the country's association with diamonds. Mohair, an ancient natural fiber with roots traced back to biblical times, found a crucial presence in South Africa, becoming a global leader by contributing around 60% of the world's mohair.
This captivating tale begins in 1838 when the Sultan of Turkey dispatched twelve neutered Angora rams and one ewe to South Africa. To safeguard his country's mohair monopoly, all rams were made infertile. However, a twist of fate occurred as the ewe, unbeknownst to all, was pregnant and birthed a ram en route—a ram that, contrary to plans, was not neutered. The South African mohair industry thus started with an unexpected twist of history.
With approximately 1000 mohair farmers, including 800 commercial farmers, and a workforce of 30,000 people, South Africa's mohair production thrived. Today, the Karoo region stands as the world's foremost producer of mohair, a testament to the industry's growth spurred by a single pregnant ewe and an unforeseen event in history. Join us in celebrating the extraordinary journey of South African Mohair.