The Daidoh Summer Kid Mohair Awards, hosted by Mohair South Africa on 12 October at the Botanics in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, welcomed over 220 guests from across the mohair value chain, including farmers, brokers, and international partners.
Photo: Octavia Avesca Spandiel
The Daidoh awards, by Japanese clothing manufacturer Daidoh Limited in partnership with Mohair South Africa (MSA), acknowledge South African producers who achieve the highest average price for their summer kid mohair clips.
It also highlights the ongoing collaboration between Japanese textile manufacturers and South African farmers, promoting premium mohair as one of the world’s finest natural fibres.
Anthony Kirsten, chairperson of the Mohair Trust, represented Daidoh President Koichiro Naruse at the ceremony. He said Daidoh’s motto, ‘Customer First’, has been central to its success.
“It’s always about innovation and evolution, adapting to the times and meeting the needs of [the company’s] customers. [Daidoh has] been a loyal partner to the South African mohair industry for decades,” he added.
Top producers and their brokers
This year’s top five producers were recognised for their outstanding summer kid mohair clips. They all worked closely with their brokers, who play a vital role in marketing and exporting local mohair to global buyers such as Daidoh.
The top five and their respective brokers are:
- Lloyd Short, Borden Farming, Graaf-Reinet (broker: House of Fibre)
- David Short, David Short Farming, Graaf-Reinet (broker: House of Fibre)
- Paul Webber, PF Webber, Makhanda (broker: House of Fibre)
- Schalk Nel, Stater Nel (Edms), Kleinpoort (broker: House of Fibre)
- Fred Colborne, FEC Farming, Willowmore (broker: OVK)
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, winner Lloyd Short expressed his gratitude for receiving the top honour.
“I’ve been farming for 27 years, and tonight I was honoured to win the Daidoh award for the best summer kid clip. It’s wonderful to be recognised, and I feel very lucky to win it after so many years. It’s my first time receiving this award, and I’m super chuffed,” he said.
Sharing advice for aspiring farmers, Short said: “Make sure you get lots of kids, look after your maiden ewes in their first year, and ensure they grow big enough before mating. When they’re slightly bigger at first mating, they take much better, and that sets up your whole enterprise for success.”
Pierre van der Vyver, general manager of House of Fibre, the event’s main sponsor, said the awards highlight the importance of collaboration between mohair farmers and the fibre industry.
“A night like tonight is special because we’re among our farmers, the people we depend on. They are our clients, and their success is our success. It makes us proud that the winners tonight are also our supplier clients,” he explained.
Reflecting on his long career in the industry, Van der Vyver added: “I’ve worked with the mohair industry for over 25 years, and I don’t think people always realise how much happens behind the scenes. We’re lucky to have such dedicated people working for the industry.”
@farmersweeklysa Congratulations to Lloyd Short, from Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, on winning the Daïdoh Mohair Award for the Best Summer Kid Clip. Short has been farming Angora goats for 27 years. @Octavia Avesca Spandiel #farmersweeklysa #agriculturetiktok #mohair #angoragoats ♬ Positive Uplifting Corporate 125bpm(850693) – Hanadayama Music Lab
