South African Business 2023

FOCUS
The Responsible
Mohair Standard
has restored trust
South African mohair is once again
popular with global fashion brands.
The mohair industry has embraced the Responsible
Mohair Standard as we are all aware that the consumer
of today is rightfully far more conscious, not only of
the impact of their purchases on the environment, but
also the impact their purchases have on the people
producing the goods.
The Responsible Mohair Standard is all-inclusive and is very
specific as to its requirements in respect of the environment
and welfare of the animals and all individuals employed in the
production of mohair products.
There is no doubt that having Samil’s manufacturing operations
certified under the Responsible Mohair Standard has opened new
opportunities for trade throughout the world.
However, the dynamic team at Samil feels compelled to ensure
that not just the Samil manufacturing operations but all mohair
operations owned or run in partnership with Samil, must also be
RMS certified. Samil therefore embarked on a concerted drive to
have all the Angora goat farms which are either owned or run in
partnership with Samil Farming were also certified as RMS.
This was no mean task as there are more than 30 farming
operations in the Samil Farming portfolio in and around the Karoo
region. However, the Samil Farming Manager, Andries Coetsee, and
his very able assistant, Nienke Scholtz, embraced the challenge and
Samil is proud to announce that, as of the end of August 2021, all
Samil mohair operations are proudly RMS certified.
Through the determined efforts of Mohair South Africa, in
conjunction with The Textile Exchange, in ensuring the development
of the Responsible Mohair Standard, the mohair industry has been
able to regain the trust, not only of the big fashion brands, but also
of the world.
This can clearly be seen in the record mohair prices currently being
achieved as brands the world over are scrambling to reintroduce RMScertified
mohair articles into their product ranges.
The knock-on effect is that jobs that had previously been in jeopardy
are now secured and, due to the new-found appetite for mohair, more
jobs have been created.
The benefits of RMS certification
After the PETA exposé in 2018, the South African mohair industry
became a pariah and many of the top fashion brands vowed to no
longer use mohair in their products. This put nearly 30 000 people
at risk of being unable to earn a living and feed their families.
68 SOUTH | www.opportunityonline.co.za
AFRICAN BUSINESS 2023
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