Empowerment Trust Partners - Industry Tour

The Mohair Empowerment Trust would like to thank all the Mohair Empowerment Trust partners for taking their time to participate in a two-day industry visit on the 12-13 April 2021. All 10 of the Empowerment farms were represented, with a total of 17 farmers present.

The purpose of this visit was for the farmers to learn more about the industry post-farmgate. The tour included a visit to Mohair SA, welcomed by the General Manager, Mr Marco Coetzee, and discussions with buyers, brokers, and the processing plants.

The tour got off to a superb start, having 100% attendance. It was amazing to see so much effort from our partners who took two days out of their farming activities to honour the invitation and make this tour a success. Among the farmers, we had five females, including two daughters of our late Oom Harris from Matatiele, ensuring his legacy lives on, and a lovely wife to our partner Mr Williams from Rietfontein farm Kommadagga area. One female student from Geluk farm in Middelburg, one female student from Driefontein farm in Somerset east. 

The rest were partners from Somerset east (Doornrivier, Krantzkloof, Driefontein, Rietfontein farms), Middelburg (Geluk farm ), Graaff-Reinet (Irene farm), Adelaide (Eureka Farm) and Beaufort West (Tulpleegte farm) accompanied by the Western Cape Agriculture Department official Mr. Vuyo Bottoman.

“It was my wish to bring the Empowerment Trust Partners to the industry, and it would not have happened without teamwork. I want to give thanks to the Mohair South Africa Team, SAMGA manager Sanmarie Vermaak and the industry as a whole for the full support. It really turned out to be an informative and successful industry visit.” – Beauty Mokgwamme

“I was privileged to accompany the Empowerment Partners through an industry Tour. What a fantastic experience it was. When they realised that their mohair was part of the tops that they saw, the look on each producer's face was priceless, it was a massive eye-opener for them. I’m so excited to watch how the Empowerment Partners will rise up to become some of the top producers in SA. Their humbleness, excitement, and thankfulness for the little things we do make me so proud of our industry. The Empowerment Partners have become family to me. I know that the world will see how the mohair industry Empowerment Partners made a difference in their communities.” – Sanmarie Vermaak

Below are a few comments received from the Empowerment Trust Partners:

“Thank you so much for organising the trip for us it was truly informative and has opened my eyes in so many ways.

We are truly blessed and do not take lightly all that you did for us. It was insightful and worth the time spent there. My favourite was the washery in Uitenhage and seeing the hair being processed from start to finish. It was fantastic going to the shop and seeing the clothes produced! May God bless you for the passion you have!” – Happiness Ntaoleng Khanyile (Oom Harris’ Daughter)

“The industry tour went very well. It was well organized and started on a good note. The presentation by the General Manager, Mr Marco Coetzee, on financial management was well received. The visit to the various companies was an eye-opener. We were able to understand many things regarding mohair and wool, with emphasis on the quality” – Mr Nzwakhe Ndlela

“The two days' worth of experience the Mohair Empowerment Trust has given us, showing us where our mohair goes once it leaves the farm, to the broker and then the buyer, made me feel humble and proud of myself. It’s great knowing that the mohair we produce goes on to people who appreciate what we produce, and that encourages me to continue working very hard to produce the best quality mohair that I can!” – Lloyd James